Schools in Eswatini have declared themselves ready for the 2026 external examination season, with invigilators trained, learners briefed on examination rules, and classrooms prepared. The preparations come as thousands of learners across the country enter an examination period that will stretch from October into November. Different national and international examinations are scheduled over several weeks, including the Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE), AS-Level, and Junior Certificate (JC) examinations.
At Mjingo High, Headteacher Philile Dlamini said the school completed training for its invigilators and was ready to receive candidates. The school would accommodate about 10 candidates sitting for Additional Mathematics, with the examination room already prepared. Dlamini explained that the school had arranged the furniture according to the number of candidates writing the initial paper and would adjust as needed.
Other schools, such as Manzini Nazarene High and St Theresa’s High, have also completed their preparations. Manzini Nazarene High will administer the first Biology practical paper for AS-level candidates, followed by Additional Mathematics for Form III learners. St Theresa’s High has prepared both learners and invigilators through training ahead of the external examinations.
The Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) has released timetables for the examinations, which will run from October 6 to November 11. The EGCSE, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), and Eswatini Prevocational Certificate of Secondary Education (EPCSE) examinations will include subjects such as Additional Mathematics, Design and Technology, and English Language.
The Junior Certificate (JC) final examinations will follow from October 19 to November 9, with English Language Paper 1 and Agriculture Paper 1 being the first papers. JC candidates will also sit papers in subjects including Mathematics, Siswati, Science, and Geography. The Eswatini Primary School Assessment (EPSA) will run from November 2 to 13.
Parents have revealed the financial sacrifices they have made to ensure their children are adequately prepared for the demanding papers ahead. Some have hired private tutors, purchased past examination papers, and found additional study resources, adding to the usual costs associated with sending children to school. One parent said she regarded the additional academic support as a worthwhile investment in her child’s education.
With the first papers now underway, the focus shifts from preparation to performance as learners begin what could be weeks of examinations before the final papers are written in November. The extended examination period means that schools will have to maintain their readiness over several weeks, with different groups of learners sitting papers at different times.
Key points
- Schools in Eswatini have completed preparations for the external examination season.
- The examination period will stretch from October into November, with different national and international examinations scheduled.
- Parents have made financial sacrifices to ensure their children are adequately prepared for the examinations.
