Govt postpones opening of schools

Mbabane: The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has postponed opening of schools to July 6, 2020.

This was announced by the Prime Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini at a press briefing held at the Cabinet offices on Thursday afternoon.

Government’s backpedaling on the opening of schools just after a week of announcing that schools will open on July 1, starting with completing tertiary students and Form Vs. The PM announced that government has since swiftly reviewed the decision and deferred the opening of schools to July 6, 2020.

Dlamini highlighted that from June 6-11, positive cases shot up by 93 in a short space, resulting into government to come with a resolution to review the decision.

 “The events of the past week have initiated that government review the decision of opening schools to ensure that all necessary precautions and preparations are in place before teachers and students can get back to class in a safe manner. Opening of Form V and completing classes at tertiary level is therefore postponed to July 6, 2020. The postponing of schools opening is a move by government to ensure proper safety standards before allowing learners back to class. Government will then analyze any development to determine whether to open classes for Form III and Grade 7,” he said.

This comes at a time when there have been confusions over the opening of schools after government and Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) clashed over the guidelines which would be followed before schools reopen.  

The Ministry of Education has been seen as not ready for the task by SNAT and Members of Parliament who called for the ministry to ensure that they have a proper plan in place before schools can open.

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