BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Government of Eswatini has taken a proactive and learner-centred decision to postpone the opening of schools for the first term of 2026 from 20 January to 27 January, reaffirming its commitment to safety, preparedness and quality education across the country.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Owen Nxumalo, during a media briefing held on 13 January 2026 at the Ministry’s boardroom in Mbabane. The revised opening date is intended to provide adequate time for the completion of rehabilitation works at affected schools, while also allowing parents and guardians to finalise learner registrations that are still underway.
Hon. Nxumalo explained that the postponement follows heavy rains and storms experienced in late 2025 and early January 2026, which caused damage to school infrastructure in several parts of the country. The Mayiwane and Maphalaleni areas were among the most affected, with classrooms, teachers’ houses, access roads and bridges sustaining varying degrees of damage.
In Mayiwane, at least seven schools were severely affected by storms that occurred in December 2025. Meanwhile, in Maphalaleni, persistent heavy rainfall damaged roads and submerged bridges, temporarily limiting access to about 10 schools, including six primary schools and four high schools. Among the institutions affected were Nkhalangano Primary School and Kuhlahla Primary School, where broken windows and damage to teachers’ accommodation were reported.
The Minister noted that across several tinkhundla, a single storm event in early December damaged at least nine schools, with additional weather-related incidents recorded throughout the rainy season. These developments raised concerns about learner safety and the readiness of schools ahead of the original opening date.
In response, government moved swiftly to address the situation. Contractors have already been deployed to affected areas to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, ensuring that learning environments are safe, accessible and conducive for both learners and educators.
“This postponement is a responsible and learner-focused decision,” said Hon. Nxumalo. “It allows us to complete rehabilitation works and ensure that all administrative processes, including registrations, are finalised without compromising the safety and wellbeing of our learners.”
The announcement has been warmly welcomed by parents and guardians, many of whom expressed appreciation for the government’s timely intervention. Nolwazi Maziya, a parent of a Grade 8 learner, said the decision brought relief to many families who were still making arrangements for the new school year.
“I would like to extend my appreciation to the Ministry of Education for this announcement. I am still looking for a school placement for my son, and this extension gives me enough time to prepare properly,” she said.
The Ministry of Education and Training has assured parents, learners and the nation that all schools will be fully prepared to receive learners when they reopen on 27 January 2026. The move underscores government’s ongoing commitment to prioritising education, learner welfare and safe learning environments, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
