By Ncaba Ntshakala
The University of Eswatini (UNESWA), once a pillar of higher education in the country, is facing a crisis that threatens its ability to function as a world-class institution.
The UNESWA Task Team Preliminary Report has painted another picture of neglect, underfunding, and mismanagement, raising urgent concerns about the future of the institution,
in that the state of infrastructure and facilities has deteriorated to alarming levels, compromising academic standards, student welfare, and overall university operations.
One of the most critical issues highlighted is the deterioration of academic facilities, with lecture halls and laboratories falling into disrepair.
Many departments, particularly in STEM fields, are struggling with outdated furniture, broken equipment, and a severe lack of essential resources.
Laboratories, which should be at the forefront of scientific learning, lack functional pH meters and computers, forcing students and faculty to work under unacceptable conditions.
The situation is further exacerbated by poor ventilation in lecture rooms, making learning environments unbearable, especially during hot seasons.
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The crisis extends beyond classrooms into student residences, which are overcrowded, poorly maintained, and riddled with health and safety hazards.
Many roofs are leaking, plumbing systems are failing, and security measures remain inadequate. Despite the growing number of students enrolling at UNESWA, the university has failed to upgrade or expand housing infrastructure, leading to a persistent shortage of beds and worsening living conditions.
Many students are left with no choice but to seek off-campus accommodation, facing high rental costs and potential safety risks.
The university libraries, meant to be the backbone of academic research, are similarly struggling. Students are forced to rely on outdated collections due to the absence of contemporary textbooks, journals, and digital resources.
The lack of proper ventilation and overcrowded study spaces make it difficult for students to focus, while weak internet connectivity and limited access to online databases severely hinder research efforts.
In an era where universities worldwide are embracing digital learning, UNESWA’s inability to provide sufficient ICT infrastructure places its students at a distinct disadvantage.
The information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure at UNESWA is also in dire need of an overhaul.
The university’s Moodle platform, which is crucial for online learning, is unreliable and plagued with technical issues.
The Wi-Fi network across campuses is inconsistent and cannot handle the demand, making access to online learning materials difficult.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the institution’s unpreparedness for digital education, with many students struggling to keep up due to poor technological support.
The report further states that outside academic life, UNESWA students are deprived of proper recreational facilities. Sports fields, gyms, and student centres have either been abandoned or are in extremely poor condition, limiting opportunities for physical activity and extracurricular engagement.
Due to improper proper maintenance, sports equipment is outdated and unusable, further discouraging student participation in sports and negatively affecting mental well-being.
The report further highlights that frequent power outages and an irregular water supply disrupt both academic and administrative operations.
Laboratories are particularly affected, with experiments ruined due to sudden power failures, an issue stemming from poor planning and mismanagement of resources, with the university reportedly losing up to E2 million per month due to water wastage alone.
Moreover, beyond its educational and operational shortcomings, UNESWA is failing to capitalize on its underutilized agricultural and commercial assets.
The university reportedly owns vast farmland, such as the Mafutseni Farm, which could generate revenue while providing practical training for students.
However, these assets remain largely neglected or poorly managed, representing a significant financial loss and missed academic opportunities.
For students and staff living with disabilities, the situation is even direr as the institution-accessible infrastructure such as ramps, elevators, and disability-friendly restrooms, makes it extremely difficult for differently-abled individuals to navigate campus life.
The failure to prioritize inclusivity not only limits opportunities for students with disabilities but also reflects a lack of commitment to creating an equitable learning environment.
Perhaps the most telling indicator of the university’s infrastructure crisis is the inefficient facility management and maintenance according to the report.
Many buildings, including administrative offices, lecture halls, and laboratories have been left to deteriorate, with maintenance requests either delayed or ignored.
This has accelerated the decline of university facilities, creating a situation where the cost of repairs is constantly rising due to prolonged neglect.
Even UNESWA’s staff housing facilities are in a state of near collapse. The university owns 113 houses at Kwaluseni Campus, 95 at Luyengo Campus, and 33 at Courts Valley, but these residences are so dilapidated that lecturers refuse to live in them.
“Instead, they opt to receive a 25 per cent housing allowance to secure private accommodation, leaving the empty houses to fall further into disrepair.
To make matters worse, these abandoned houses still require security services, further draining university funds without yielding any benefits,” states the report.