By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has expressed concern over the low interest in prevocational training among Emaswati students. He believes that lingering stigma surrounding vocational education continues to hinder enrollment in the Eswatini Prevocational Certificate of Secondary Education (EPCSE).
Speaking on February 7, 2025, during the release of the Form Five results at the Ministry of Education and Training Conference Room in Mbabane, Nxumalo highlighted that only 324 candidates registered for the EPCSE examinations in 2024. Despite the low enrollment, the overall pass rate for the programme increased to 98.95% in 2024, up from 96.73% in 2023—an improvement of 2.22%.
The minister emphasized that the EPCSE programme, examined under Cambridge accreditation for the third time in 2024, holds the same value as the Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE). “Since 2021, EPCSE graduates have had equal opportunities as their EGCSE counterparts when applying for tertiary education,” Nxumalo stated.
Despite this, he lamented the persistent reluctance of students to pursue prevocational education. “It is disheartening to see the programme suffer from low participation, especially when it could serve as a viable solution to youth unemployment in the kingdom,” he added.
Nxumalo reassured the public that the EPCSE examination process adheres to the highest standards. Both EPCSE and EGCSE exams were conducted with the support of Cambridge University Press and Assessment consultants, as part of the accreditation agreement between ECESWA and Cambridge. Additionally, international observers from Kenya, Zambia, and Lesotho participated in the grading process to validate and ensure the credibility of the results.
The minister stressed the importance of grading as a key component in maintaining examination standards year after year. He urged students, parents, and educators to recognize the value of prevocational training and support efforts to increase enrollment in the programme.
As Eswatini continues to address youth unemployment, Nxumalo encouraged stakeholders to work together in changing perceptions and fostering greater acceptance of prevocational education as a pathway to career success.
