Teachers have been advised to desist from teaching during school holidays.
Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati advised teachers to use school holidays as rest days.
Former principal secretary in the ministry of education and training Dr Sibongile Mtshali had issued a circular saying pupils were not supposed to attend lessons during holidays, after school hours, or when schools were closed. Some schools have reportedly been engaging learners in lessons during the holidays, while others have informed pupils that they will not be closing for the term.
Vilakati added that teachers should stop engaging learners once schools have closed, as school holidays were meant for rest. He emphasised that both teachers and learners needed time to rest, noting that continuous learning was not beneficial for either party.
“If something happens, the ministry will blame the teacher and will not be held liable,” he said.
Vilakati further stated that parents should also be relieved of the burden of paying for their children’s transport and lunch during holidays.
He acknowledged that while some pupils may require extra classes, neither parents nor teachers should feel compelled to engage in lessons during this period. He said for those who voluntarily conduct lessons during the holidays, the union would still encourage them to rest.
He also called on the ministry to intervene on the matter, noting that it had already issued a circular. He warned that teachers and schools that defy the ministry’s policies could face charges, which is why the union was advising teachers to comply and rest.
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Eswatini Schools Committee and Parents Association President Cedrick Chirwa said the situation was now confusing for parents as the school calendar and curriculum were set by government.
He said when issuing the school calendar, government considers the curriculum and the need for learners to rest.
“This will cause burnout among pupils, we are concerned, especially when teachers say learners should rest. Teachers should do the right thing and stick to the school calendar because we now feel that some schools engaging pupils during holidays is not genuine,” he said.
Ministry of Education Communications Officer Gugu Masuku said it was the teachers’ decision whether to teach pupils during the holidays or not. She said the ministry did not object if teachers chose to engage learners during this period, but those who did not wish to do so should not be forced.
She added that teachers should only engage learners if they saw a need, noting that some teachers usually assist examination classes to complete the syllabus and revise during the third term.
“They normally consult with the regional education officers and write to them even when they teach during holidays. Teachers decide for themselves, and the ministry does not micromanage them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shiselweni Regional Education Officer Siboniso Gumbi stated that a circular had been issued by Mtshali following complaints from parents. He said the circular stipulated that any deviation from the school calendar required schools to write to the regional education officer or the director of education.
He added that parents had complained that they could no longer spend time with their children as they were always at school, and that teachers were not adequately covering the syllabus during normal school hours.
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