BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA– The Minister of Education and Training has clarified to Members of Parliament (MPs) that he is not responsible for employing teachers, despite frequent concerns raised about shortages in schools across the country.
Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo made the remarks on Thursday, March 5, 2026, during debate in the House of Assembly on the adoption of a report presented by the Finance Portfolio Committee.
The minister was responding to several MPs who had complained about the shortage of teachers in schools located within their respective constituencies. Many of them directed their frustrations at the minister, believing that he had the authority to recruit teachers and deploy them where needed.
However, Nxumalo explained that the responsibility for employing teachers does not fall under his office. Instead, the mandate lies with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), which is responsible for teacher recruitment and management.
He acknowledged that teacher shortages remained a challenge in many schools across the country, but emphasised that the matter should be addressed collectively by all relevant stakeholders rather than placing the blame solely on the ministry.
Nxumalo further pointed out that the Teaching Service Commission operates independently and does not report directly to the Ministry of Education and Training. As a result, decisions regarding the employment of teachers fall within the commission’s jurisdiction.
The minister also expressed concern that disagreements and “flexing of egos” among certain individuals were sometimes hindering progress in addressing national challenges. He appealed to leaders to put the interests of the country first when dealing with critical issues such as education.
Despite the challenges facing the sector, Nxumalo reiterated the importance of cooperation among government institutions, Parliament and oversight bodies to ensure that the country’s education system continues to function effectively.
He said constructive engagement and a clear understanding of each institution’s role would help ensure that learners across the country receive the education they deserve.
