Africa-Press – Eswatini. Close to 40 head teachers who closed schools without approval of their respective regional education officers (REOs) on Monday and yesterday could be hauled before a disciplinary hearing.
These head teachers, 18 from Lubombo and a similar number from the Manzini region – if found guilty-would not only have their salaries slashed as government effects the no-work, no-pay rule but also face consequences of their actions as may be determined during the disciplinary hearings.
The number of head teachers to appear before the disciplinary committee is yet to increase as the process of collecting data of schools that had closed is still continuing.
This was disclosed by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Bhekithemba Gama, who explained that the no-work, no-pay rule would be implemented in stages starting from the current month.
He said teachers and head teachers whose salaries could be reduced as the no-work, no-pay rule is implemented would be determined after an assessment based on reports submitted by head teachers to REOs.
Gama stipulated that the reports should detail the number of teachers who attended work on Monday and yesterday together with how many pupils were present to warrant calling off classes.
Various educational institutions in the kingdom, both primary and high school, turned pupils back after widespread insecurity threats that had been made by a faceless group who called upon the nation not to report to either school or work for two days.
Gama explained that as per government policy, head teachers could only close schools after receipt of approval from the REO.
Procedure
Therefore, if it gets discovered that they never followed laid down procedure before closing the school, they would have to account before a disciplinary committee.
Gama said factors to be taken into account before determining, which head teacher need to account for decisions they took includes the number of teachers and pupils who showed up on the affected dates.
“The REO must have agreed with the head teacher that the school should be closed. Otherwise, they will have to be charged for not adhering to procedure and also face no-work-no-pay,” Gama said.
Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) Secretary General Mduduzi Masilela said as far as they were concerned, head teachers followed procedure when closing schools especially in this instance where there was uncertainty over security.
“Our colleagues know and follow procedure. In fact, some of them called the office to find out what they should do and we advised that they should contact the REO before closing down the school,” said Masilela.
It should be noted that Gama’s assertion aligns with his earlier statement where he said teachers who would adhere to advice from the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and not report to their workstations would suffer the consequences.
He said the ministry expected all its employees at their work stations.
SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini had urged teachers to follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2001 (No.9 of 2001) Section 18(2), which states that an employee reserves the right to remove himself or herself from danger, when such an employee ha reasonable justification to believe there was imminent and serious risk to the safety and health of that employee.
Removal
Section 18(3) of the Act says where the supervisor or employer of not present at the time of removal named in subsection 2, the employee shall immediately after such removal, as is reasonably practicable; inform the supervisor or employer of the fear giving rise to such removal.
Dlamini said they took the threats seriously. However, Gama said all educators would find themselves in the firing line. He said head teachers were expected to take an attendance register for teachers, which they would submit to the ministry.
Gama said should it happen that a particular teacher’s absenteeism had everything to do with the Act and threats, the no-work, no-pay rule would also apply.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Sipho Tsabedze said they were surprised to learn that there were government departments that suspended operations after government instructed that they should all report for duty and carry out services normally.
Tsabedze said the ministry instructed all supervisors in government departments to take attendance register for their departments.
He said they expected all government services to continue normally,e especially because civil servants were assured of their safety.
“Not a single department reported suspension of services,” he said.
Tsabedze said they were eagerly waiting for the attendance register to be submitted by head of departments by the end of the week.
He stated that it was then that supervisors from departments that suspended services would answer to the ministry on the decision and not follow the right channels of notifying the relevant authorities.
“No one communicated any closure or threat from these departments,” he said. He said as they had promised that if there was no sound justification for their absenteeism or suspension of services, the no-work-no pay rule would apply.
Tsabedze said suspending services was an inconvenience to those who came to access the services later on the day.
He explained that suspending services just because there was no one came or feared faceless people without following proper channels was a punishable offence.
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