Swaziland's school gates close on orphans
Thamie Simelane, 12, is among hundreds of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland who might not be going to school, despite government assurances that the tuition fees of these children would be covered.
Headmasters rely on school fees to run their institutions, but limited government funds have materialised sporadically, often forcing schools to start sending children home.
This year the education ministry again assured headmasters that adequate funds would be forthcoming and urged them to admit legitimate OVC into their schools. The government's master plan is to provide free universal education to all children through Grade 5.
