Education Tops with E6.4 Billion in 2026/27 Budget

THE Ministry of Education and Training has been allocated E6.4 billion, the largest share of the national budget for the 2026/27 financial year, representing 16.7 percent of total government expenditure.

Of the E6.4 billion total allocation:

• E5.06 billion has been earmarked for the recurrent budget

• E408.7 million for the capital budget

• E194.5 million for the OVC fund

• E702.3 million for scholarships

Delivering the Budget Speech in Parliament, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said the allocation reflected government’s continued prioritisation of education as a cornerstone of national development.

“Mr. Speaker, education is where Agape Love makes its longest investment,” he said, noting that decisions made in classrooms today would shape the kind of nation Eswatini becomes by 2040.

He highlighted that a significant portion of the funding would support the rollout of Competency Based Education (CBE), a curriculum reform designed to move learners from rote memorisation to applied understanding.

“Currently, 340 Grade 0 classrooms are implementing the CBE curriculum, while 243 schools have been targeted for full distribution of CBE materials,” he said.

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Government has also introduced AS/A Level as a pathway for learners to obtain internationally recognised qualifications without leaving the country — a move expected to broaden access to global university opportunities.

In an effort to improve foundational learning, the Ministry of Education has launched the Teach at The Right Level (TaRL) pilot programme in 30 primary schools. The evidence-based approach focuses on teaching learners according to their actual learning level rather than their grade level.

Teacher welfare was also addressed, with:

• 130 primary school teachers converted from temporary to permanent employment

• 113 high school teachers also made permanent this year

In support of infrastructure expansion, government secured an additional E85.36 million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the construction of four secondary schools — one in each region.

The schools, to be completed within a year, are located at:

• Ngwenyameni

• New Thulwane

• Maphungwane

• Lavumisa