13 September 2011
Hundreds of principals in Swaziland protest budget cuts on 1st day of school
MBABANE, Swaziland — Hundreds of principals in Swaziland marched today (Tuesday 13 September 2011), the first day of the school term, to protest the impact on education of the southern African monarchy’s budget crisis.
Education officials said most of Swaziland’s 328 primary, secondary and high schools opened as scheduled. That had been in doubt for the nation’s more than 800,000 public school pupils after principals complained budget cuts left them unable to pay secretaries or buy chalk and other supplies. Principals said some schools have no water because they can’t pay utility bills.
After their peaceful march to the education ministry, principals handed over a petition calling on the government to reverse cuts of 95 million emalangeni (about $13.5 million), nearly half the education budget for the 2011-2012 school year. Much of the missing money was earmarked for school fees and supplies for orphans and other vulnerable children in a country where many children have lost parents to AIDS.
Swaziland is several months into a financial crisis, blamed on corruption and declining customs revenue. The government has proposed freezing civil servant salaries and have already cut other costs, including allowances for university students.
The cuts have led to a series of protests, with some Swazis saying the king should rein in the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by his family, which includes 13 wives.
To read the full Associated Press report, click here.
See also
GET READY FOR MORE SWAZI PROTESTS
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/07/get-ready-for-more-swazi-protests.html
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