Swaziland
Source: Country context data was obtained from a variety of sources: (CIA, 2008; SADC, 2008; UNAIDS, 2008; UNDP, 2008; UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2006)
Historical Background
National Education System Overview
Primary education in Swaziland lasts for seven years, leading to the Swaziland Primary Certificate. Primary school begins at age six. Secondary education lasts for five years and is divided into two cycles: a three-year cycle leading to the Junior Certificate and a two-year cycle preparing pupils to the General Certificate of Education ‘O’ Level which gives access to higher education (International Association of Universities (IAU) World Higher Education Database, 2003). Swaziland’s higher education sector consists of seven institutions of higher learning including a publicly funded university, publicly funded polytechnics and specialized colleges, and privately funded accredited universities and colleges.
Type of Higher Education Institutions
|
Number of Institutions
|
| Publicly funded universities | 1 |
| Publicly funded polytechnics & specialized colleges | 1 |
| Publicly funded colleges | 4 |
| TOTAL | 6 |
Source: Swaziland MoE questionnaire response
Policy Context
As a UNESCO member, Swaziland is a signatory to the Education for All (EFA) Declaration. Swaziland completed its draft EFA action plan in 2003 in consultation with stakeholders (Swaziland Government). The National Education Policy 1999 outlines some of the problems faced by the education system, and its priority areas (Government of Swaziland, 1999). There is no national HE policy.
Higher Education Legislation
|
Brief Description |
| No relevant legislation was found |
List of Statutory Bodies in the Higher Education Sector
Statutory Bodies |
Brief description |
| Education Board | The Education Board oversees the implementation of education policies and advises on the need to review outdated policies and targets. |
| Scholarship Selection Board | This board is responsible for screening tertiary education scholarship applications and making recommendations to the minister of education on who should be awarded scholarships. |
| University Council | The council is responsible for university operations and ensures the smooth operation of the University of Swaziland. |
| University Senate | The senate is responsible for all academic affairs of the university and all affiliated tertiary institutions. |
| University Research Board | This board is responsible for commissioning research studies, advising on issues related to research and ensuring the progressive operation of the university research centre. |
Source: Swaziland MoE questionnaire response
Funding Data
| Public Expenditure on Education as a % of Gross National Income (GNI) | 5.5% |
| % Education budget allocated to higher education | 22% (2007) |
| Loan/Grant scheme in place | Yes |
Source: SARUA (2008) – Pillay report
Science and Technology
Key Indicators |
Swaziland |
| R&D Intensity [The ratio of Gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)] | unavailable |
| ISI Output (Number of papers published in the 7500+ journals of the ISI Web of Science) | 1990-1995: 71 1996-2001: 85 2002-2007: 93 |
