BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Members of the public will get a chance to nominate and later vote for schools they believe deserve recognition for creating healthy working environments and making a positive impact through sustainability and community-building initiatives as part of the 2026 Teachers’ Day celebrations.
The public participation process will give parents, learners, teachers, communities and other stakeholders an opportunity to nominate schools they believe are making a meaningful difference in the lives of teachers, learners and communities.
The process was officially announced on Friday by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Nanikie Mnisi, during a press conference.
Mnisi said the public would be invited to nominate schools in two categories, namely the Healthy Work Environment (Health & Wellness) Award and the Sustainability and Community Building Award.
The initiative forms part of this year’s Teachers’ Day celebrations, which are being held under the theme: “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”
Mnisi said the decision to open the process to the public was deliberate, arguing that members of the public experience schools from different perspectives.
“Your experience matters,” she said.
She said parents, learners, teachers, communities and other stakeholders see and experience schools in different ways, adding that their voices could help identify and celebrate schools that are making a meaningful difference.
The nomination links will open on Monday, September 21, 2026, and close at midnight on Saturday, September 23, 2026, giving the public three days to nominate schools.
Following the nomination period, schools that emerge through the public process will proceed to the next stage of assessment.
Thereafter, the public voting process for the selected schools will take place.
The process will not end with the public vote, as adjudicators will conduct school visits to assess the nominated schools against established criteria before final recognition.
This means schools will have to demonstrate that they genuinely deserve the recognition, rather than relying solely on popularity.
The Healthy Work Environment Award will focus on schools that create healthy, safe, inclusive and supportive working environments where teachers and staff can thrive.
According to Mnisi, the ministry is looking for schools demonstrating commitment to staff well-being, workplace safety, inclusion, healthy professional relationships and practical health and wellness initiatives.
She emphasised that the welfare of teachers is closely linked to the quality of education.
“When educators feel supported, respected and safe, they are better positioned to create positive learning environments for their learners,” she said.
The second category, the Sustainability and Community Building Award, will recognise schools demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability, greening, stewardship and meaningful community engagement.
Schools involved in initiatives such as tree planting, waste management, conservation, environmental education, school gardens and climate awareness will be eligible for consideration.
Community partnerships involving learners, educators, families and communities will also form part of the focus.
Mnisi urged members of the public to make their nominations based on evidence rather than simply choosing schools they know.
She cautioned the public against nominating a school merely because it is familiar to them.
“Nominate a school because you have seen evidence of the values and practices that these awards seek to recognise,” she said.
The ministry said nomination links and further information would be released through its official communication platforms.
Mnisi said the celebrations were not an initiative government could achieve alone, calling on corporate partners, private-sector organisations, development partners, donor agencies and well-wishers to support the programme.
She said support could include sponsorship of award categories, prizes, school resources and teacher recognition initiatives.
She also acknowledged the support of the Teachers’ Day Organising Committee and partners including B-Trac, Eswatini Building Society, Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA), EMCU, World Bank, MTN, KZM, Premier and Wonderport.
As Eswatini joins the global community in commemorating 60 years of Teachers’ Day, the ministry is now placing part of the recognition process directly in the hands of the public.
With nominations opening on Monday, members of the public will have an opportunity to put their schools forward and, once the voting stage begins, rally behind those they believe have demonstrated excellence.
The ministry is encouraging the public to participate meaningfully and responsibly as the country prepares to recognise schools that are helping create better environments for teachers, learners and communities.
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