Mbababe – Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Nanikie Mnisi has accused headteachers of nepotism in teacher recruitment.
The PS made the claims on the second day of the Members of Parliament’s three-day retreat at Sibebe Resort, where lawmakers discussed challenges facing the education sector, including the recruitment of teachers and the integration of Grade Zero into Free Primary Education (FPE).
Responding to concerns about graduates who completed their studies years ago remaining unemployed while others who graduated more recently secured jobs, Mnisi said the issue required careful consideration.
“On the issue of employing teachers who came last against those who came first, headteachers need to practise with care because the chicken will come home to roost,” said PS Nanikie Mnisi.
The idiom “the chicken will come home to roost” means that people will eventually face the consequences of their actions. In this context, Mnisi appeared to caution against unfair recruitment practices, suggesting that those responsible could eventually face the consequences of their decisions.
Her remarks put the spotlight on the role of headteachers in the recruitment process and the need to ensure that qualified applicants are considered fairly.
TSC recruitment process under scrutiny
The concerns come amid longstanding questions about the recruitment and deployment of teachers in Eswatini, with lawmakers previously questioning why some graduates remain unemployed for years while others who completed their training later have secured teaching positions.
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is responsible for recruiting and appointing teachers in public schools, as well as managing their deployment, promotions and transfers. Its mandate includes ensuring that schools have adequate teaching staff and that appointments follow established recruitment procedures.
Mayiwane MP Sicelo Dlamini has previously questioned why some History teachers who graduated in 2014 remain unemployed while graduates who completed their studies in 2021 have secured employment.
The issue has raised questions about the criteria used to select candidates, the availability of vacancies and the transparency of recruitment decisions.
Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi Hlophe has also criticised the prolonged use of temporary contracts, highlighting the plight of qualified teachers who have spent years waiting for permanent employment.
The wider debate has focused on the challenges of matching teachers’ qualifications with schools’ needs, filling vacant posts and providing permanent employment opportunities for educators who have been waiting for years.
Mnisi’s accusation adds another dimension to these concerns, although the specific recruitment decisions or incidents underpinning her allegation of nepotism were not detailed in the information available from the retreat.
Grade Zero raises transport concerns
Meanwhile, the integration of Grade Zero into FPE has raised questions about how children in rural communities will reach school, particularly those who live far from the nearest institution.
Mnisi said the Ministry of Education and Training was working collaboratively with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to use transport donated by His Majesty King Mswati III to assist in transporting children.
However, she acknowledged that the arrangement was not sustainable in the long term, raising questions about how the government intends to provide reliable transport for young learners.
MPs are also being mobilised to push for an Education Grant to support the programme. However, the discussions at the retreat highlighted the need to consider transport, staffing and other practical requirements alongside financial assistance.
The integration of Grade Zero will require sufficient teachers and resources to accommodate young learners, making recruitment and deployment important considerations in the programme’s implementation.
The three-day retreat at Sibebe Resort has brought MPs away from the usual parliamentary setting to reflect on Parliament’s performance, assess its operations and explore ways to improve its work.
The Ministry of Education and Training, UNICEF and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office are participating in discussions on Grade Zero implementation and the challenges facing the education sector.
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