By Kwanele Dhladhla
Parents will breathe a sigh of relief following the announcement by the Ministry of Education and Training which commenced the process of standardising secondary education fees in the Kingdom with the intent to ultimately make a basic human right – education- affordable to all with effect from 2026.
The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has disclosed in responses to the Senate Portfolio Committee debate of the 2025/2026 budget that the high cost of education remains a critical concern for both the government and the public.
The standardisation of fees has been highly anticipated to address the high number of pupils who complete primary school but do not end up making it to secondary school. According to the National Skills
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Assessment Report (NSAR) which was produced by Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), out of 225 427 pupils who complete primary school only 120 947 make it to secondary school.
“To address this issue, a dedicated sub-committee has been established to examine the affordability of secondary education, as rising costs have been identified as a major barrier to access.
With the support of a consultant, the sub-committee has initiated an extensive review of school fees structures,” said Nxumalo.
The minister explained that a final report was expected by the end of the second term of 2025, with full implementation of standardised fees scheduled for 2026.
He mentioned that the ministry was working closely with school principals and teachers’ unions to ensure that school budgets for 2026 align with the new standardised fee framework, promoting equity and affordability across the education sector.
The minister went on to explain that top-up fees for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) that the disparity in school fees across secondary schools, set by individual school committees, has led to issues regarding top-up fees for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs).
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“Some school administrators have compelled OVCs to pay additional fees, creating a barrier to their education,” Nxumalo explained.
The minister stated that the ministry had engaged with head teachers through formal consultations, emphasising the urgent need to prevent the exclusion of OVC’s due to financial constraints.
Schools were further urged to work collaboratively with parents to ensure equitable access to education for all learners.
