Parents and educators warn that extra afternoon classes leave some learners waiting for transport after dark, raising concerns for safety.
Reading Time: 2 minutes Parents and education stakeholders have raised concern over the safety of external examination candidates attending afternoon classes, warning that some learners are being left vulnerable while travelling home after dark.. The concerns follow reports that pupils attending extra lessons are only released at around 5:30pm, leaving many stranded in town centres as late as 6pm while waiting for public transport.. In a message circulated on the Swaziland National Association of Teachers
(SNAT) platform, educators expressed unease about the situation, particularly as winter evenings become darker earlier.. The contributors said while schools were understandably pushing for improved academic performance and strong external examination results, learner safety should not be compromised in the process.. They noted that three female learners had allegedly been seen waiting for transport at Mafutseni at around 6pm last Tuesday when it was already dark.. According to the message, teachers and parents alike wanted
learners to excel academically and for schools to rank among the country’s top performers.. However, they argued that such ambitions should not outweigh the responsibility of ensuring pupils return home safely.. Some parents have since echoed the concerns, saying they feared for the wellbeing of their children who depend on public transport after classes.. One parent, whose child attends afternoon lessons in Manzini, said she worried every evening until her daughter arrived home safely.. She
said while she appreciated the commitment shown by teachers in preparing learners for examinations, it was concerning that children were still roaming around bus ranks after sunset.. “As parents we want our children to pass, but we also want them alive and safe.. A child can’t concentrate fully at school if they are constantly anxious about how they will get home,” she said.. Another parent said the current arrangement placed unnecessary pressure on families, especially
those living in rural areas where transport becomes scarce in the evenings.. He said some learners were forced to hitchhike or walk long distances after failing to secure transport in time.. RELATED | SNAT urges teachers to rest during holidays “The extra classes are important, but schools also need to consider the realities facing learners.. Not every child has a car waiting for them after school,” he said.. The concerns have sparked wider debate among
parents and educators, with some calling on schools and education authorities to reconsider the scheduling of the lessons.. Suggestions raised include starting the afternoon sessions earlier, introducing weekend classes or allowing learners who travel long distances to leave before dark.. However, some educators have defended the extra classes, arguing that they play a critical role in helping learners prepare for external examinations amid increasing academic pressure and competition among schools.. They said many schools were
trying to recover lost teaching time and ensure learners were adequately prepared for examinations, particularly in challenging subjects.. Education stakeholders have therefore called for a balanced approach that safeguards both academic excellence and learner welfare.. They stressed that while quality education remained a priority, the safety and wellbeing of pupils should remain at the centre of all school programmes.
extra classes safety, SNAT concerns, external examination candidates, transport after dark, Mafutseni learners, Manzini parents