Pilate's hands tied as Siteki schools full
SITEKI – Parents of over 50 pupils seeking spaces in Form I, II and IV are frustrated about the future of their children, due to limited spaces in high schools around Siteki Town.
They were found in a confused state at Lubombo Central High School.
This week marked the second week since schools opened for the first term. Some parents, with their children, are still looking for spaces.
Make Sikhondze of Siteki, who came to look for a space in Form I, said her daughter was commuting on a daily basis from Siteki to Malindza Primary School and that arrangement had been costly for her.
She narrated that as a single parent, she had to pay school fees for her daughter and transport fare, which has become a huge task due to her financial status.
Sikhondze shared that the school’s Head teacher Pilate Vilane had promised to asses if there would be spaces availed by learners who did not return this year.
Depression
She stated that it would be an unfortunate situation to subject her daughter to depression, if she would eventually fail to get her a school this year.
“As you can see, we are still waiting for word from the head teacher,” she said.
Make Khoza who also accompanied her daughter to look for a space in Form IV highlighted that her daughter had been commuting from Siteki to Tikhuba, a distance of about 30km.
Khoza said she was nursing hope that her daughter might be enrolled, after being informed by the head teacher to exercise patience.
“I am crossing my fingers that my child will be enrolled so that she can continue with her high school education,” she said.
Situation
Vilane stated that there were no spaces at the school but he was assessing the situation as some pupils might not return after enrolling in other schools.
He, however, urged government to build more schools to accommodate the ever-increasing number of children looking for spaces in schools.
“The school has been experiencing ballooning queues since schools opened last week, as more parents come to seek spaces for their children. I will monitor the situation but my hands are also tied as there is nothing I can do to save the situation,” he said.
Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo has challenged and encouraged schools to admit pupils looking for spaces as it was important that they learn.
The minister has said it was government’s priority to put learners first by enrolling and affording them education to realising their future dreams.