Students in Swaziland (eSwatini) boycotted classes and
at least one college has been closed after the government failed to honour its
promise to pay allowances.
Some students have been without payment for the past two
months.
The William Pitcher teacher training college at Manzini
was closed down indefinitely, according to a report from the Swaziland Youth
Congress.
Students at the Southern Africa Nazarene University at
Manzini have also boycotted classes.
The government fails to pay allowances on time most years and boycotts routinely take place. In September 2019 students only agreed to return to classes after the government promised to double their allowances and pay it monthly. No payments have been made in the past two months.
The government fails to pay allowances on time most years and boycotts routinely take place. In September 2019 students only agreed to return to classes after the government promised to double their allowances and pay it monthly. No payments have been made in the past two months.
A statement from the SANU student representative council
(SRC) said it wanted the immediate release of book, practical and monthly
allowances; scholarship for all students admitted at the
institution and allowances to be increased to meet students’ economic
needs.
SANU SRC Secretary General Colani Khulekani Maseko
sustained serious injuries during a confrontation with other non-protesting
students and was admitted to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, the Observer on
Saturday reported.
It said some students who were not government
sponsored wanted to continue with classes. Police were called to SANU after students
marched on the university administration.
SANU SRC President Tholumuzi Gubevu Simelane told the
newspaper the first day of class boycott was a huge success. ‘The boycott
continues until our demands are met,’ he said.
The Swazi
News reported Simelane said the students were concerned about
government’s inability to uphold its agreement to pay their monthly allowances
within a period of 30 days. This was stipulated by a clause contained in the
pre-service tertiary education study loan agreement form the students signed in
September 2019.
Simelane said they had not received their allowances for September and
October.
In a letter to tertiary institutions the Ministry of Labour and Social
Security said payments had been delayed because it did not have all students’
bank details.
See also
Striking
Swaziland students win victory in dispute with government
Students
march on government
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