Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo has endorsed the payment of top-up fees in schools, describing the practice as necessary — provided it is implemented in line with established procedures.
Nxumalo made the remarks during the Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) Annual National School Leadership Workshop held at The George Hotel.
The workshop, convened under the theme ‘Leadership for Impact: Building Resilient Schools, Communities and Futures,’ brought together headteachers and key education stakeholders committed to strengthening leadership capacity and advancing sustainable excellence in the education sector.
Addressing delegates, the minister acknowledged mounting financial pressures faced by schools across the country.
He clarified that while the ministry was not opposed to top-up fees, it strongly rejects the manner in which some schools have imposed them without adhering to due process.
“Top-up fees are not unlawful; what is unlawful is bypassing procedure,” Nxumalo emphasised.
He outlined that before introducing any additional fees, administrators must:
-
Consult school committees and parents
-
Reach consensus on the proposed amount
-
Agree on specific projects to be funded
-
Set clear implementation timelines
Only after agreement should headteachers formally apply to the ministry for approval.
Nxumalo was unequivocal that ministry approval must precede implementation.
The minister further clarified that the issuance of ‘show cause’ letters to 39 headteachers by Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi would not be reversed.
The letters were issued after it was established that the affected schools had demanded additional fees without following proper procedure.
“The letters were issued because due process was not followed and therefore, they will not be withdrawn,” he said.
He warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any school authorities who continue to disregard established guidelines when imposing top-up fees.
Importantly, Nxumalo stressed that top-up fees do not apply to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
Should schools require additional support for such learners, headteachers are expected to liaise with regional education officers. The matter would then be escalated to the ministry and, where necessary, to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for intervention.
The development follows the ministry’s issuance of ‘show cause’ letters to 39 headteachers for unlawfully demanding top-up fees from parents in violation of the Free Primary Education (FPE) Act.
The ministry considers unauthorised charges a form of theft.
ALSO READ | Cabinet approves 62.5% UNESWA tuition hike
On admissions, Nxumalo cautioned schools against discriminating against pupils based on academic performance.
He observed that some institutions have built reputations for excellence primarily by admitting only high-performing learners.
“True excellence lies in developing all learners, not selecting only the best,” he noted.
The minister conceded that the Free Primary Education (FPE) grant remains insufficient to fully meet schools’ operational needs.
He revealed that the ministry is developing strategies to address funding gaps and intends to engage Members of Parliament on possible solutions.
Nxumalo also called for an end to the practice of employing headteachers on fixed-term contracts, arguing that the arrangement is stifling professional and personal growth within the teaching fraternity.
