SNAT WARNS OF GRIM REALITY

MANZINI – “If anyone says the results have improved, it will not be the truth.” Lot Vilakati, Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), said this as pupils prepare for the release of the 2024 IGCSE, IPCSE, and Eswatini General Certificate for Secondary Education (EGCSE) results this Friday. His stark assessment underscored the persistent challenges plaguing the education system, casting a shadow over the impending academic pronouncements. As thousands of pupils across the country brace themselves for the revelation of their academic fate, Vilakati argued that systemic issues, including crippling teacher shortages, abysmal remuneration, the constant anxiety of contract renewals, delayed grant payments and overcrowded classrooms, continue to undermine educational progress.

“Teachers are facing the same challenges,” he emphasised, suggesting that any claims of improved pupils’ performance would be a misleading narrative.The official release date, confirmed by Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Communications Officer for the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA), in a press statement yesterday, has ignited a flurry of emotions across social media. Ndlovu announced that the EGCSE, EPCSE, and IGSCE results would be officially released this coming Friday, February 7. Education Minister Owen Nxumalo is expected to unveil the results after a thorough review by the ECESWA Council.

The announcement has been met with a nervous anticipation.“A part of my brain had shut out because of the time. This feels surreal,” one pupil confessed online, echoing the sentiments of many who felt the release was both too soon and too late.  Others expressed frustration at the long wait, while some simply declared themselves ready to face the music. Last year’s results painted a grim picture, with a significant drop in pass rates across the board.  The EGCSE pass rate plummeted to 88.33 per cent, a 4.25 per cent decline from 2022.  IGCSE results mirrored this trend, falling by 8.25 per cent to 84.07 per cent. 

While the EPCSE programme fared slightly better, however their pass rate saw a small dip. Minister Nxumalo attributed the decline to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that rocked the nation, disrupting learning for years. Now, as the 2024 cohort stands on the precipice of receiving their results, the question remains: can they overcome the systemic challenges highlighted by the teachers’ association?  Friday will provide some answers, but the larger debate about the state of education in Eswatini is sure to continue.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: