There is no set date as yet regarding the re-opening of schools, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini revealed in a statement that was released on Thursday.

Dlamini says SNAT is in constant consultation with the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the many issues including the re-opening of schools in the country during the COVID-19 era.

The SG said there is no set date as of yet regarding the re-opening of schools but there are consultative meetings by all education stakeholders under way in preparation for the re-opening of schools.

He said the ever increasing COVID-19 cases and fatalities in the country dictates that the education stakeholders adopt an innovative approach in terms of framework to be adopted to ensure safety of learners, teachers and parents.

Dlamini revealed that the closest possible strategy could be to resort to media lessons and that is if a study has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of this lessons so that challenges can be addressed before rolling out 2021 lessons.

“As SNAT, we shall then present our minimum demands and expectations on this programme on the day in which the said evaluation report shall be tabled before the larger Education Sector Committee. Our stance in support whatever strategy shall depend upon level of compliance to the World Health Standard and National COVID-19 Safety and Health Standards, that is to be exemplified by the Government and individual schools, over and above the issue of early retirement for colleagues with comorbidities and Risk Allowance Cover for all Educators which we also advance”, detailed the SNAT SG.