Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns over financial mismanagement in schools, urging the Ministry of Education and Training to implement stronger measures to improve accountability and transparency in the education sector.
This follows a meeting which took place on May 19, 2025 between the PAC and officials from the Ministry to discuss financial updates in school reports. The meeting was held in the House of Assembly. Committee members revealed that millions of Emalangeni have been misused or unaccounted for in several schools, prompting calls for urgent action.
Notable cases include Esigangeni High School, where over E1 million was allegedly misused Nkanyezini, where more than E2 million could not be accounted for; and St. Mark’s and Embheka Primary Schools, which had over E47 000 in unaccounted funds.
A representative from the Ministry of Education explained that some of the challenges in identifying and addressing these issues stem from insufficient monitoring systems and delays in financial reporting. The Ministry is currently working on strengthening internal controls and has indicated intentions to take legal action against implicated headteachers where possible.
The PAC emphasized the need for ongoing training and support for school administrators. Hon. Nomkhosi Masuku, Ludzeludze MP, noted that one week of financial training is not enough, especially for headteachers who do not have financial backgrounds. “Some are trained in other disciplines, like languages, and need more time and supervision to manage school finances properly,” she said.
Hon. Sifiso Shabalala, MP for Dvokodweni, called for tougher measures, stressing that those who misuse public funds must be held accountable to set an example for others. “We need a clear timeline from the Ministry on how and when these reforms will be implemented,” he added.
The Ministry assured the committee that headteachers are audited before being transferred or retiring. However, PAC members raised concerns about cases where audits are delayed or conducted after headteachers have left their posts.
Hon. Sandile Nxumalo, MP from Somntongo Constituency, urged the Ministry to assist headteachers to avoid situations where financial mismanagement leads to unrest among parents and communities.
The PAC concluded by urging the Ministry to prioritize financial accountability to safeguard public funds and restore public trust in the education system.
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