By 
By Delisa Magagula
Eswatini has recorded a significant milestone in its education journey, following UNICEF Eswatini’s appointment as the Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Capacity Grant.
The E16.85 million investment, to be implemented over the next two years, is expected to strengthen core systems that support the delivery of quality learning for every child.
Worth noting the grant is $1,000,000 currently equivalent to approximately E16.85 million. (Specifically, E 16,845,025 based on the latest exchange rate.)
The grant will focus on four key reforms, which are enhancing national teacher development programmes to improve the quality of teaching, developing and operationalising a national learning assessment system to better track learning progress, strengthening the country’s education data systems to guide policy decisions, and improving coordination within the education sector.
Together, these interventions aim to build a more responsive, data-driven, and effective education system. Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo welcomed the investment, noting that it arrives at a crucial moment as the country expands the rollout of Competency-Based Education.
He said the grant would help reinforce the country’s efforts to improve teaching quality, strengthen accountability, and ensure that reforms translate into tangible results for learners.
“This grant comes at the right time as we deepen the rollout of Competency-Based Education. It will strengthen our teacher development, improve learning assessments, and give us the data we need to make better decisions for every child,” said Nxumalo.
In addition, he said, by strengthening the education system they are investing in the future of every child in Eswatini. “This grant helps us move closer to an equitable and high-quality education system for all,” he said.
Worth noting that the GPE System Capacity Grant is designed to help countries strengthen the foundations of their education systems rather than funding standalone projects.
It supports long-term improvements in planning, data management, policy development, and monitoring areas essential for sustaining national education reform.
Eswatini now joins a list of countries that have received the same type of support. Ghana is currently implementing a System Capacity Grant worth $2.23 million, focused on improving education planning, sector monitoring, and policy alignment. Afghanistan is implementing a similar grant of about $5 million, with a focus on strengthening planning, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
Jordan is another recent beneficiary, using the support to reinforce its national reform strategies and improve inclusive policy development. These examples highlight the global recognition that system strengthening is essential for delivering real, measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, this latest development aligns with UNICEF Eswatini’s ongoing support to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in advancing equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education.
arlier this week, UNICEF supported MoET in rolling out several initiatives aimed at closing gaps in access, quality, and digital readiness. Both partners reiterated their commitment to ensuring that every child in Eswatini can learn, grow, and thrive.
In another boost, MoET received a generous donation of computer equipment from ESCCOM, further strengthening the country’s digital education capacity.
The computers will enhance access to national digital platforms such as the National Learning Passport Eswatini’s flagship digital learning tool developed with UNICEF support. The platform provides curriculum-aligned lessons and revision materials that help close learning gaps and support learners who need flexible ways to study.
The ESCCOM donation will benefit schools and community learning centres across the country, opening opportunities for children and young people to develop digital literacy skills and access high-quality learning materials.
“Our contribution is part of ESCCOM’s commitment to ensuring that every learner in Eswatini has access to the digital tools they need to thrive in a modern world,” said ESCCOM CEO, Mvilawemphi Dlamini
UNICEF expressed appreciation to ESCCOM for its contribution and acknowledged MoET’s leadership in driving digital transformation in the education sector.
While exact totals of all education grants Eswatini has received over recent years are not fully consolidated publicly, the country has benefited from multiple rounds of GPE support and development partner funding.
These investments have targeted teacher development, curriculum reform, infrastructure support, and system strengthening. The growing trend has been a shift toward improving the internal capacity of the education system strengthening data use, planning, accountability, and coordination rather than focusing solely on physical resources.
The Minister said, the appointment of UNICEF as the grant agent signifies a coordinated and strategic step toward long-term improvement, backed by proven technical expertise and strong partnerships.
“By focusing on sustainable systems rather than short-term fixes, Eswatini is positioning itself to deliver consistent, measurable improvements in learning outcomes,” said the Minister.
He further said, this week’s developments both the E16.85 million GPE System Capacity Grant and the ESCCOM computer donation demonstrate the momentum building within the education sector.
“With stronger data systems, improved teacher support, enhanced learning assessments, and expanding digital access, Eswatini is laying a solid foundation for lasting progress,” said the Minister.
