THE Ministry of Education and Training has called for bilateral engagements to categorise schools and tertiary institutions differently, as they are non-profit making entities.
The ministry’s Under Secretary Administration, Ncamsile Mntshali, said schools and tertiary institutions were currently classified as commercial entities. She suggested that the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) and government should engage bilaterally to consider placing them under a different category.
“There are different categories within government ministries. The proposed electricity increase is high for us and will compromise the quality of education we offer. Parents cannot afford additional costs, especially as the free primary education grants allocated to schools do not cover all expenses,” she said.
Mntshali added that this would further escalate costs for parents, making education unaffordable.
She stated that the ministry had introduced the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, which is skills-focused.
“This curriculum involves introducing subjects such as ICT, science, modern agriculture and entrepreneurship,” she said.
She noted that these subjects required electricity and would be severely affected if the ministry’s request was not considered.
Mntshali submitted that schools should not be charged commercial tariffs and questioned why schools had not been fully converted to prepaid meters, which could help curb high costs.
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Meanwhile, Somnjalose High School Headteacher Macandza Mamba said schools were previously required to pay about E2 700 in facility charges even before purchasing electricity units, describing the cost as too high.
“I engaged EEC and they assisted me. I am now on prepaid and paying a facility charge of E200,” he said.
Mamba added that there were still schools on post-paid systems, which he said was not working for learning institutions.
He called for schools to be removed from the commercial category, noting that they do not generate profits.
He further stated that the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) grant was often paid late, and by the time funds were received, costs had already accumulated.
Mamba said electricity units were becoming increasingly expensive for schools and warned that they would soon be unable to afford them.
“Schools will be left in darkness. EEC and government need to find solutions to assist schools, especially considering that the economy is not improving and grants are not increasing,” he said.
However, EEC Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta said that regardless of how schools were categorised, there were costs associated with providing electricity services.
“We have extended an invitation to those who wish to convert to prepaid systems, but each case will be assessed on its own merits. In some instances, conversion will not be possible due to physical limitations,” he said.
