FOR the first time ever, the local schools calendar will have a mid-term break beginning Friday.
The break was confirmed by the Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary Naniki Mnisi yesterday. Mnisi stated that the mid-term break would commence on Friday and end on Monday, with pupils returning to school on Tuesday.
She said this was done so that teachers and pupils get some rest.
Until now, pupils were only afforded school holidays after the end of each term. After the mid-term break from June 26 to June 29, pupils will close for the second term on August 7.
They will open for the third term on September 9 and close on December 11. Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati welcomed the break, saying teachers and pupils needed it.
He said for a start, this was something good that has been done by the ministry. He stated that he hopes that in future they will be awarded a week since there was a lot of burnout from teachers.
He said this was a first of its kind and stated that he hopes that they will improve and add more days. He stated that the days will not cost them as teachers because the academic calendar was set last year.
“The teachers are fatigued and if it were according to us we would go on a break after every three weeks since we are carrying a heavy load due to staff shortages.
“We are doing double the job and the children also need the rest,” he said.
Vilakati stated that they were expecting teachers to rest so they can return refreshed.
