GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT
NO: 4/2013

RE: STATUS OF THE SWAZILAND CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Government reiterates its commitment to the pursuant of excellent education services and the provision of quality education facilities to the citizens of the Kingdom of Swaziland. In this regard, Government wishes to clarify issues surrounding the current status of the Swaziland Christian University.
 
1.Recognizing the important service that the University would provide, Government classified it as a Category A Public Enterprise, which will receive a subvention effective from the financial year 2014/15.

2.In order to give a legal basis to the relationship between the University and the Swaziland Government, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) together with an addendum was signed between the Ministry of Education and Training (representing Government) and the Africa Continent Mission (representing the Swaziland Christian University) in May, 2012 and December 2012 respectively.

3.    The key provisions of the MoA and its addendum include the following:

(a)    The need for accreditation as a key prerequisite.
(b)    Scholarships, depending on the availability of funds
(c)    Subvention effective from 2014/15 financial year
(d)    Leased land measuring 75.726 hectares under a 40 year lease agreement.

4.An additional concern is that the Municipal Council of Mbabane identified a number of areas where the University is not complying with the Buildings and Housing Act. These outstanding requirements have been raised with the University on numerous occasions by the Municipality. However, they have not been resolved, hence the Occupation Completion Certificate has not been issued. The University structures may not be used until this requirement is met.

5.It would appear the University was too hasty in opening its doors to the public. Government’s understanding was that the University will not open pending full compliance with all the outstanding requirements. It will only be at this point that Government would provide scholarships to an accredited and fully compliant University.

6. Government is concerned that the University has been demanding deposits from students with an assurance that Government will refund them. Government has not authorized nor does it recognize this arrangement. However in order to ensure the protection of the affected students, the Minister for Education and Training has been tasked by Cabinet to hold consultations with the University on this matter.

Percy N. Simelane                         21 March 2013                    
Government Spokesman