The Ministry of Education and Training in Eswatini has proposed introducing certificates for vulnerable pupils in Grade VII to facilitate access to government support when they transition to high school. This initiative aims to reduce the administrative and financial burden on children who depend on government assistance, particularly orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). The certificates will help these children avoid having to reapply for support when they enrol in high school.
Currently, vulnerable children face difficulties when seeking assistance, including obtaining affidavits and stamped letters confirming their circumstances. These requirements can force them and their caregivers to move between different offices and community structures to collect necessary documents, incurring additional costs. The proposed certificates will alleviate this burden, making it easier for vulnerable children to access government support.
The proposal comes amid concerns about the costs associated with obtaining stamps and supporting documents from royal kraals. The education sector is examining ways to improve access, retention, and progression, particularly for learners whose family circumstances make them vulnerable to dropping out. The Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary, Naniki Mnisi, stated that the process of applying for OVC funding can be painful, especially for families already struggling financially.
The proposed system could reduce the burden on pupils if the certificate is accepted by the relevant authorities and eliminates unnecessary duplication of documentation. This initiative was discussed during the recent Education Joint Sector Review Indaba held in Ezulwini. The education sector is working to improve access to education for learners with special educational needs, with policies and standards in place, including the 2019 Standards for Inclusive Education.
The country currently has over 67,400 children benefiting from the OVC education grant, with 4,761 new beneficiaries added recently. Additionally, 17,238 new OVC beneficiaries were registered during the recent intake cycle. The Free Primary Education (FPE) programme caters to over 200,000 children annually across the country's primary schools. These statistics indicate a significant effort to support vulnerable children in accessing education.
However, learners with disabilities face significant barriers in accessing and completing their education. According to the Ministry of Education and Training's Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit, 204 learners left school due to disability, with 139 leaving primary school and 65 leaving secondary school. The ministry acknowledges that the country lacks sufficient data to establish the proportion of learners with disabilities who are dropping out of school.
The ministry's presentation identified several barriers preventing learners with disabilities from accessing education, including inaccessible school infrastructure, limited finances, and negative attitudes towards disability. Physical access is a concern, with only 29% of schools having ramps and 45% having accessible toilets. The ministry has introduced policies and standards to improve access to education for learners with special educational needs, with 986 schools having received the standards for inclusive education.
Key points
- The proposed certificates aim to ease access to government support for vulnerable pupils transitioning from primary to high school.
- Eswatini's education sector is working to improve access, retention, and progression, particularly for learners with special educational needs.
- The country faces challenges in providing education for learners with disabilities, including inaccessible infrastructure and limited finances.
