BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA– The Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Owen Nxumalo, has assured the nation that the government is working to address teacher shortages and close employment gaps in the education sector.
The Minister was speaking in Senate on Monday, August 4,2025 where he said the ministry is prioritizing the employment of qualified teachers while tackling the issue of illegal educators, particularly common in the higher education sector.
“There is legislation in place that empowers the ministry to take action against those teaching without proper accreditation,” said the Minister. “We will issue warnings and take necessary steps to remove illegal educators from institutions” he added.
The comments were made as Senators reviewed the ministry’s operations. They expressed concern over individuals teaching without proper authorization and called for their arrest in line with the law. The Senators highlighted the need to protect the integrity of the education system and avoid situations where graduates’ qualifications are later rejected due to their involvement in unrecognized teaching programs.
Minister Nxumalo acknowledged the plight of many volunteer teachers who have served for years without pay, hoping to eventually secure employment. “Some have been offering their services with dedication, just to be considered for future opportunities,” he said. “We need to address such cases with humanity”
He further stated that he Is committed to discussing these concerns with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and encouraged headteachers of volunteer teachers to formally notify the ministry of their status for better coordination and consideration.
