THE Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has warned educators against engaging in inappropriate relationships with pupils, saying such conduct goes against professional ethics and the teaching code of conduct.
SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati said the association upheld children’s rights and would not provide legal representation to teachers implicated in such cases.
His remarks come amid allegations of sexual abuse of pupils against four Sikhunyana High School teachers.
Vilakati said the matter had not yet been formally reported to the association. However, SNAT’s branch would investigate the allegations to establish their merits.
“We do not confirm or deny that the said teachers indeed committed the said offences.
However, we understand that sometimes teachers are framed for similar cases. In any case, our Lubombo branch will investigate to ascertain the merits of the matter,” he said.
Vilakati cautioned teachers against engaging in such conduct, emphasising that educators were expected to uphold professional ethics and comply with the teaching code of conduct.
He warned that teachers found to be incriminated in such cases should not expect the association to provide them with legal representation.
“As an association, we also ensure to uphold children’s rights,” he said.
