By Ncaba Ntshakala
As the festive season winds down, teachers across Eswatini are urging parents to begin preparations for the opening of schools to avoid the financial strain that often accompanies January.
The educators are emphasizing the importance of early planning to ensure a smooth transition for students and uninterrupted school operations.
Ngcebo Hlophe, a teacher at Mkhuzweni High School in Manzini, highlighted the challenges faced by schools when parents delay preparations.
“January is always a tough month for many families financially. This often results in late payments of school fees, which in turn affects the school’s ability to operate effectively.
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We are advising parents to budget wisely and make education a priority,” he said.
Hlophe’s sentiments were echoed by Zanele Motsa, a primary school teacher in one of the schools in Manzini.
She emphasized the need for parents to communicate with schools if they anticipate challenges.
“Schools understand that January is challenging, but parents need to take proactive steps.
Start buying uniforms and stationery early, and if there are any financial constraints, inform the school in advance. Planning ahead helps everyone involved,” Motsa advised.
Another teacher, Sipho Dlamini, pointed out that pupils are the most affected when parents delay preparations.
“When fees are unpaid or materials are missing, it disrupts the learning process for children. It’s heartbreaking to see pupils struggling because of issues that could have been avoided with proper planning,” Dlamini said.
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Meanwhile, another teacher from a school around Mankayane encouraged parents to leverage festive bonuses or savings to prepare for the new school term.
“Many parents spend generously during the holidays but forget to allocate funds for January.
We’re reminding them that education is an investment in their child’s future. Prioritizing it now will prevent stress later,” she said.
The teachers also called for communities to support struggling families where possible, emphasizing the collective responsibility of ensuring that every child is ready for the school year.
