King Mswati III has issued a strong call for a profound transformation of Eswatini’s education system. During his State of the Union address on February 20, 2026, the monarch emphasized the need to equip schools with appropriate technologies to prepare students for a constantly changing world. “Our national goal is to equip our education system with the technologies needed to transform our students’ lives and help them better understand the world,” he declared before Parliament.

Beyond equipment, the King emphasized the need to overhaul school curricula to align them with the needs of the labor market and global trends. He emphasized that teacher training must be a priority to ensure the effective implementation of reforms.

This vision is accompanied by a particular focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The government has undertaken a curriculum reform toward competency-based education and training (CBET). The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning, is developing blended learning programs that combine in-person and digital components. The goal is to make educational opportunities more accessible, particularly in rural areas, through decentralized training centers.

The results are already evident. At the 39th graduation ceremony at Ngwane Teacher’s College, the King praised the integration of ICT into the curriculum. He noted that graduates are now able to create websites and navigate digital platforms, enabling them to compete on the international stage. The King described this progress as a reflection of the success of the “2025 Year of Transformation” initiative, which aims to prepare the nation for the challenges of the digital age.

The opening of digital innovation centers (iHubs) in Piggs Peak and Macetjeni, in partnership with the UNDP, also illustrates this ambition. These spaces offer young people, including those in rural areas, training in digital skills and access to digital entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the King encourages young people to reflect on the added value of the time they spend on digital platforms, inviting them to transition from mere consumers to creators of content and opportunities.

TheHatLady