Africa-Press – Eswatini. Owen Nxumalo,the Minister of Education and Training says, teachers are very important in our society and therefore, deserve to be treated with human dignity.
Speaking during the official launch of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) Burial Insurance last week, the Education and Training Minister pledged to address the demands forwarded to him by the teachers union.He touched on the issue of contract teachers and, non-availability of houses including the slow pace in the employment of teachers, as some of the challenges facing the education system.
“But I’m trying my best to address your demands, just give me some time. Some of the issues we are currently addressing with the TSC include the issue of teachers with Degrees but, teaching at Primary Schools and those employed on contracts. I would like to thank Cabinet as a collective for supporting me in addressing the challenges facing teachers,” said the Minister.
Nxumalo jokingly asked SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini to be lenient and refrain from shouting “phansi nga-TSC, phansi!!” saying he was working with the Commission to address some of the challenges faced by teachers.
“Manje President nasewutsi phansi nga-TSC ngitawubese ngiyalimala mani yet I’m trying to address some of the challenges faced by teachers with the TSC. Angibacolisele nje President, we are trying to work and address your demands,” he said.
The Education Minister then reminded all teachers who are members of SNAT that, by virtue of owning a business in Manzini South, they are eligible to vote for him.
“It is for these reasons I am vigorously working towards addressing your challenges because you have the power to decide my political future, all teachers who are SNAT members are eligible to vote here because they own SNAT as a business,” said the Education Minister who also joined the SNAT Burial Insurance.
The Education Minister then defended the country’s authorities saying, some of the socio-economic challenges facing this country “are as a result of dereliction of duties by them as politicians” not the country’s authorities.
“Others end-up blaming the country’s authorities yet it’s us, as politicians who are supposed to listen, engage in a dialogue and address your demands,” he said.
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