BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
An iPhone 17 will be awarded to the top-performing learner in this year’s National High School Population and Development Essay Competition, as the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development officially launched the 2026 edition of the initiative on Thursday at Bethel Court in Ezulwini.
Second prize in the competition is an iPad, while third place will receive a laptop.
In addition, the school that produces the highest number of entries within the top 50 essays will be awarded a trophy and a projector, in what government says is part of efforts to encourage widespread participation and strengthen research culture among learners.
The competition was launched under the theme: “Population Data & Development: Powered by an Informed Youth.”
Speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Thabsile Mlangeni, said the initiative is designed to help young people understand how population data influences national planning, development priorities, and economic growth.
She said government recognizes that the youth remain a strategic asset in driving the country’s development agenda, noting that demographic trends present both challenges and opportunities for Eswatini.
Citing national statistics, Mlangeni said the 2017 Population and Housing Census shows that young people under the age of 35 make up about 73 percent of the population, while the working-age group (15–64 years) accounts for approximately 60 percent. She further referenced the 2026 Labour Force Survey, which estimates youth unemployment at 56 percent.
“This youth bulge presents an opportunity for the country to reap the demographic dividend, but only if we invest in skills development, education, and innovation,” she said.
Mlangeni said the essay competition is intended to turn demographic data into a practical learning tool for students, encouraging them to critically engage with issues affecting their communities and the broader economy.
She explained that learners are expected to explore how population data can be used in areas such as education planning, job creation, healthcare delivery, and national development strategies.
The guiding essay topic for this year is: “How can population data affect youth in development?”
According to the ministry, the competition is open to all secondary schools registered under the Ministry of Education and Training.
Submissions will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of judges using a standardized rubric that prioritises originality, content quality, research depth, and relevance to the theme.
Mlangeni emphasized that the evaluation process will be fair and transparent, noting that the initiative is not only about winning prizes but about fostering critical thinking and innovation among learners.
“This competition is more than an academic exercise. It is a platform for youth empowerment, innovation, and national pride,” she said.
The Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Nhlanhla Dlamini, who was represented at the event, urged schools to take full ownership of the initiative by actively promoting it among learners and providing academic guidance throughout the process.
He said teachers play a key role in shaping the quality of submissions, particularly in areas such as research ethics, essay structure, and adherence to competition guidelines.
“Teachers, your mentorship will determine the quality of submissions we receive. Let us treat this not as an extra task, but as an investment in our learners’ future,” Dlamini said.
He also called on schools to ensure compliance with deadlines and competition specifications, stressing that discipline in academic work remains essential for learner development.
Dlamini further issued a strong warning against the unethical use of artificial intelligence tools in essay writing.
While acknowledging that technology can assist with grammar and research support, he said essays must remain the original work of learners.
“The unethical use of AI, such as submitting AI-generated essays without understanding or copying content without attribution, undermines the purpose of this competition,” he said.
He added that any submissions found to be fully AI-generated or plagiarised would be disqualified.
(Courtesy Pic)
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