By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, recently conducted a visit to Evelyn Baring Primary School, where he uncovered severe overcrowding in most classrooms and a dire shortage of teachers, with only three currently housed at the school.
Additionally, Nxumalo noted that the computer laboratory was in a state of disrepair, with only a few functioning computers and an urgent need for renovation.
This visit was part of Nxumalo’s major initiative to assess the state of teaching and learning across various schools in the Kingdom.
During his inspection, Nxumalo pledged to address the overcrowding issues at Evelyn Baring Primary. He directed the Shiselweni Regional Education Officer (REO) to ensure that government employees occupying schoolhouses be relocated immediately, making room for the most in-need teachers.
Moreover, Nxumalo committed to providing floor tiles for the computer lab, aiming to enhance the learning environment.
Nxumalo’s visit extended to Evelyn Baring High School, where he was briefed on similar challenges.
The high school is facing a critical shortage of teachers, leading the administration to hire 12 teachers independently.
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Additionally, the school is grappling with a food shortage, exacerbating the difficulties faced by students and staff alike.
Nxumalo assured the high school administration that he would engage with the Teaching Service Commission promptly to address the teacher hiring crisis.
He also noted that the process of distributing food to schools is ongoing and said that he will help alleviate the shortage soon.
Nxumalo’s visits to these schools are part of a government’s big effort to ensure that the educational environment meets acceptable standards, amidst growing concerns from emaSwati about the deteriorating conditions in many schools.
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Last year, during the Sibaya, emaSwati expressed their alarm to the King about the collapsing state of the education sector and the government’s inadequate response to the crisis.
The King acknowledged these concerns and instructed the 12th Parliament to urgently address the people’s issues, including those related to education, under the “Nkwe” call.
