By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has issued a stern warning to head teachers who continue to expel pupils, particularly orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC), from schools.
Speaking at a press conference held on February 5, 2025, at the Ministry of Education and Training Conference Room in Mbabane, Nxumalo emphasized that head teachers had no authority to expel students, as doing so violated their fundamental right to education.
The minister reiterated that issues related to school fees were a matter between schools and parents and should not interfere with a child’s learning process. “At this moment, many children, especially OVCs, are at home instead of in school because some head teachers have decided to expel them due to unpaid fees,” Nxumalo stated.
Nxumalo questioned why OVCs were being expelled when the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) had already paid their deposits. He criticized the head teachers for disregarding the financial support available to these children and stressed that their actions were unjustifiable.
Reminding school administrators of their responsibilities, Nxumalo stated that head teachers were appointed by the government to manage schools, not to make decisions that denied children access to education. He emphasized that expulsion was not within their authority and that any issues concerning non-payment of fees should be handled directly with parents. If necessary, unresolved cases should be escalated to the Regional Education Officers (REOs) for further intervention.
Nxumalo revealed that this was not the first time he had addressed the issue, but despite repeated warnings, the problem persisted. Due to ongoing complaints, the Cabinet had demanded answers from him, questioning what measures were being taken to stop the expulsions. As a result, the minister vowed to take strict action against non-compliant head teachers, stating that he would begin enforcing consequences to ensure that no child is denied education due to financial constraints.
