Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) stunned senators when it revealed that some ministry officials and head teachers demand sex-for-jobs from frustrated and desperate contract teachers.
SNAT once again dropped the bombshell, this time to astonish senators after similar allegations surfaced in the past, implicating officials from the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).
The association further revealed that teachers were frustrated due to a number of reasons and resorted to protests due to frustration from the ministry of education and training, which does not consider their grievances but did whatever it wanted regardless of numerous negotiations.
The allegation was made by SNAT Secretary General, Lot Vilakati, while responding to questions raised by senators seeking clarity on what the association meant that teachers were working under duress in preparation for and during examinations and were not paid enough.
This transpired during the Senate ministry of education and training portfolio committee stakeholder consultation on the Examinations Council of Eswatini Bill, 2022.
The committee is chaired by Senator Busi Dlamini. The senators enquired what the association meant when it stated that during examinations, teachers were frustrated and forced to work extra hours without compensation.
Vilakati said contract teachers were dealt a hard-hand as some of them were employed a temporary basis for over 10 years and during that period they were paid salaries that matched those of cleaners yet they were expected to deliver.
He said in a bid to be considered for permanent positions, some contract teachers were allegedly forced to have sexual intercourse with head teachers and some ministry officials in exchange for jobs.
“What contract teachers go through is painful because some officials and school head teachers demand sexual favours promising permanent jobs to teachers,” he said.
Vilakati said they were stressed and not paid enough.
Dlamini said she was shocked by the revelation and suggested that they needed another engagement with the association so they could have sufficient time to listen to and address the issues faced by teachers.
This was welcomed by the other senators who indicated that they were looking forward to the engagement as they were interested in addressing a number of issues that negatively affected the country’s failing education system. Senate President, Lindiwe Dlamini, assured the association that Senate would make time for the engage t as soon as possible.
Other submissions made by the association was that the Bill should include payment of all those responsible for managing and conducting of the external examination at school level.
“These include head of centre, English oral teachers and technical teachers to name a few,” Vilakati said. He also suggested that the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) should provide all necessities for conducting of examinations.
SNAT added that cases of external examinations should remain with ECESWA and not be referred to the TSC since it was an autonomous body.
Vilakati also suggested that ECESWA should distribute as well as collect examination papers from all school and further stated strong rooms must be provided by ECESWA as they were custodians of the examinations and include invigilation fee in primary schools.
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