Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Owen Nxumalo, has urged the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and the nation’s educators not to threaten other teachers, but to uphold unity, professionalism, and mutual respect following tensions that could have transpired before, during, and after the recent World Teachers’ Day celebrations.
The World Teachers’ Day event, hosted by SNAT at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini on 25 October 2025, was meant to celebrate the invaluable contributions of educators across the country. However, the occasion was marred by reports of verbal threats directed towards headteachers who are not affiliated with SNAT, sparking concern within the education sector.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Education and Training’s Conference Room in Mbabane on Friday, 7 November 2025, Minister Nxumalo addressed the matter, calling on all stakeholders to work together in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation. He said his intervention came after reports indicated that some principals had allegedly restricted certain teachers from attending the Teachers’ Day festivities, prompting frustration among union members.
According to the Minister, some remarks made during the event suggested that SNAT members would “target schools” led by principals outside the union’s membership, with the intention of making those schools difficult to manage. Minister Nxumalo described these comments as concerning and called for calm and reflection.
He reminded both teachers and school administrators that they share a common mission — nurturing the nation’s children and shaping Eswatini’s future through education. “As assigned by His Majesty the King, I have called SNAT to order to maintain peace in our schools,” he said. “I apologise to any principal who may have felt threatened or disrespected. We must always strive to resolve disagreements through dialogue and mutual understanding, not through intimidation or conflict.”
Minister Nxumalo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and collaborative environment within schools. He emphasised that both union and non-union educators are vital to the country’s education system and deserve equal respect and support. “Teachers are the backbone of our society,” he added. “Their unity determines the strength of our education sector. Let us work together to ensure that schools remain centres of learning, not conflict.”
The Minister announced that the Ministry would continue to engage closely with SNAT, the Teaching Service Commission, and headteachers to address the issues raised and to strengthen communication between all parties. His goal, he said, was to create an atmosphere where teachers can express themselves freely while upholding professional standards and maintaining respect for one another.
Honourable Nxumalo’s remarks reflected the government’s broader vision of promoting harmony within the education sector and fostering a culture of dialogue. He urged all teachers to lead by example, teaching learners the value of peace, tolerance, and cooperation.
The call for unity comes at a crucial time when Eswatini continues to invest in improving education quality and inclusivity. As schools move forward from the recent tension, the Ministry hopes that the lessons from World Teachers’ Day 2025 will inspire renewed solidarity and a shared commitment to excellence in education.
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