Contract teachers bitter for being left out
PIGG’S PEAK – A sIGnIfiCAnt numBEr oF tEACHErs wHo ArE on ContrACt FEEl HArD DonE By tHE GovErnmEnt, As tHEIr ContrACts wErE not rEnEwED.
This publication has learnt that many teachers on contracts were now without jobs, as government has prioritised teachers with an Education qualification.
This means teachers who hold qualifications such as Agriculture, Agronomy and Humanities from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) were among those without jobs after their contracts were not renewed. The teachers included those who were from institutions such as Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT), holding qualifications in IT.
“This is not fair because we were told unexpectedly that government would not be renewing our contracts, as they now prioritise teachers with an Education qualification. Some of us have debts to pay and have been working for many years as teachers on contract,” said one of the teachers whose contract was not renewed.
PrIorItIsInG
Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education and Training Bhekithemba Gama confirmed that government was now prioritising teachers with an Education qualification.
“Yes, that is true. Those without an Education qualification may be considered at a later stage when the need arises,” said the PS.
Gama said those who would be at the bottom of the priority list included those with Sciences and Agriculture qualifications, among others.
The Swaziland National Teachers Association (SNAT) Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati said they were not aware of how government conducted the teachers’ recruitment process.
CrItErIA
“The government did not inform us on the criteria they would use in the hiring of teachers. All that we demanded from the government is that they hired 5 000 qualified permanent teachers. We also demanded that all existing contracts must be renewed on a permanent basis,” said Vilakati.
Meanwhile, some of the teachers whose contracts were not renewed had been teaching at the same school for nearly 11 years.
Government is said to consider teachers with an Education qualification as well as those who were able to acquire the PGCE Certificate at university after they completed their Bachelors Degree such as Humanities and BsC.
It was established that government prioritised teachers with PGCE compared to any other qualification, if they had vast experience in teaching.
Sources informed the publication that those without the PGCE Certificate were not qualified teachers and were put at the bottom of the list.
Hire
On her school opening address, Minister of Education and Training Lady Howard Mabuza said government had given the ministry permission to hire 1 500 temporary teachers.
“Regarding teachers, the government has granted the ministry 1 500 temporary posts for teachers,” said the minister.
Mabuza further appreciated all who contributed and cooperated towards the smooth opening of schools.
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