An internal audit report of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has uncovered that eight candidates applying for the posts of headteacher provided false information about their experience.
The candidates were shortlisted and interviewed while they did not meet the required criteria of four years experience working as a deputy headteacher.
They shortlisted and interviewed a total of eight unqualified candidates with two of them appointed to the posts.
One such candidate who applied for the position of headteacher at Nkiliji Primary School is alleged to have lied in the application form saying they had 15 years working experience as a deputy headteacher yet they had none.
The candidate was interviewed and awarded a score of 8/12 by the TSC.
The candidate’s actual designation at the time of applying was a senior teacher instead of deputy headteacher.
Another candidate who was eventually appointed had applied for the position of headteacher at KaNdinda Primary School.
misinformed
The candidate had misinformed the Commission that they had four years experience working as a deputy headteacher yet they had three. They were awarded a score of 9/12 by the TSC.
This was during the ministry of education and training’s appearance before the PAC on Friday to answer on audit queries detailed in the audit review on human resources at the TSC for the financial year 2020/21.
The anomalies shocked the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and left members wondering whether the allegations of corruption and selling of posts were indeed true.
Over the past few years, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) as well as alleged victims had raised concerns about the alleged sale of posts within the TSC.
The legislators enquired if the unqualified candidates were recalled by the ministry through the TSC following the findings of the report.
justify
In an attempt to justify the anomalies, Ministry of Education and Training Under Secretary Lungelo Nhlengetfwa stated that during their investigations, they discovered that the TSC was under pressure and in a hurry to fill the vacancies in preparation for the end of year examinations.
Nhlengetfwa admitted that the findings of the report were accurate as some candidates lied or provided false information in their application forms.
He, however, assured the committee that the ministry had since beefed up their measures and ensured to verify the information before candidates were shortlisted and interviewed.
Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla said the US should withdraw his statement that the TSC was in a hurry to fill the posts.
He also stated that the ministry should recall the headteachers as what happened was unfair and unprocedural.
“You should just recall them and hire deserving candidates,” he said.
Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo said the ministry should refrain from trying to justify flouting of procedure and take responsibility for their actions.
TSC Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Dlamini explained that the main challenge they were faced with as a Commission was the lack of eligible candidates.
He said this was due to the hiring freeze through the implementation of Circular No. 3 of 2018.
He said since the hiring freeze came into effect, the promotion of teachers to the position of deputy headteachers was delayed and most of the candidates had less experience and they were forced to accept them.
“We now consider less qualifying candidates due to the scarcity of qualified candidates in the pool, which has over the years dwindled,” Dlamini said.
The internal audit team reported that based on the audit work performed and subject to their detailed findings, they concluded that the controls to ensure that experienced and qualified teachers were appointed to the position of head of department, deputy head teacher and headteacher were not adequate.
rating
The rating of teachers who had applied for administrative positions was based on qualifications and experience without considering their performance.
The audit team stated that this may have a negative impact on performing the administrative duties.
The overall rating of governance, risk management and internal control system was not satisfactory. Governance, risk management and internal controls were not functioning well.
Further, the audit team reported that the issues were such that the achievement of objectives of the audited entity could be seriously compromised.
