By Bonakele Mabuza
MBABANE – Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo has promised to help in revamping Evelyn Baring Primary and High Schools in Nhlangano.
Nxumalo said this yesterday (Wednesday, July 17, 2024) when he visited the schools. The minister discovered that the schools were challenged by problems such as overcrowding and lack of other materialistic resources such as computers, which would help in improving the standard of education for the learners. He was also informed of the shortage of teachers and unavailability of food in the schools.
Nxumalo conducted a thorough assessment of the teaching and learning environment. What he discovered shed light on both challenges and opportunities for improvement in the education sector.
Minister Nxumalo, according to the Ministry of Education’s social media pages, identified several pressing issues. Overcrowding in classrooms was a significant concern, with only three teachers available to cater to the learners’ needs.
Furthermore, it is said that the computer laboratory was in need of renovation, with only a few functioning computers. In response to these challenges, the minister pledged to address the overcrowding issue and ensure that the school’s facilities were upgraded. He also instructed the educational authorities in the Shiselweni Region to prioritise the allocation of school houses to the most deserving teachers.
Additionally, Minister Nxumalo promised to provide essential resources such as floor tiles for the computer lab, aiming to enhance the learning experience for pupils at Evelyn Baring Primary School.
Transitioning to Evelyn Baring High School, the minister was informed of a shortage of teachers, leading the school to independently hire 12 educators.
Furthermore, there was a reported scarcity of food supplies. In response, Minister Nxumalo committed to addressing the teacher shortage by engaging with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) promptly. He also assured that the distribution of food to schools would continue seamlessly.