By Thandiwe Matsenjwa
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) has urged pupils who still owe the deposit for their school fees to return to school, following that some schools still send owing pupils back home.
According to information sourced from local news media outlets, the DPMO is of the view that in Eswatini, education plays a vital role in shaping the future of the nation. However, financial constraints often hinder some students from continuing their education. Recognising the importance of providing equal educational opportunities for all, the DPMO has taken a commendable step in urging students who have been sent back home due to owing school fees deposit to return back to school.
This was mentioned after there was a worrying number of schools across the country which continue to send pupils back home due to the lack of funds. The DPMO pleads with school principals for their compliance in making sure that every child, owing or not, receives the equal opportunity to learn.
By taking a proactive stance on this issue, the DPMO has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to pursue their education due to financial constraints. This initiative is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible educational landscape in Eswatini, where every child has the chance to realise their full potential.
Ministry of Education and Training Under Secretary (US) Lungelo Nhlengetfwa said they had not heard of a situation where pupils were sent home because they owed fees. “The ministry had still not heard that pupils continue to stay at home due to schools refusing to have them in school due to them owing money. We were relieved when the DPMO revealed in March that they will assist pupils who struggle to pay their deposit but now we are surprised at the news of some students being denied their rights to education,” Nhlengetfwa said.
He added that as a ministry, they would urge school principals to allow pupils to continue attending classes as the DPMO was still to release those funds they owed.
Thembisile Mhlanga, one of the parents whose child was sent home, said she was pleased with the position taken by the DPMO on this matter. “I am very pleased that the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office has announced that students should be allowed back to schools because I was extremely worried for my daughter who has since been staying at home after being chased away by the principal. I struggle to pay tuition for as I am a single mother working as a hawker. I am very grateful and now I will be at ease knowing that my daughter is getting educated,” Mhlanga said.
The DPMO’s initiative of urging the pupils to return to school holds the promise of not only supporting individual students but also contributing to the overall development and prosperity of Eswatini as a nation.
