BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
DVOKOLWAKO – In a powerful push to bring more girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), rural pupils at Nceka High School and Dvokolwako High School have been celebrated for completing a coding programme that is opening doors to the digital future and reshaping how young girls view their potential in technology.
On July 3, 2026, the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), through the Department of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), continued the handover of certificates and tokens of appreciation to participants of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) Boot Camp.
The initiative formed part of the national commemoration of Women and Girls in ICT and Science, held on May 12, 2026, under International Girls in ICT Day. Through this programme, girls from six schools were introduced to coding and digital skills training facilitated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The certificate handover exercise, which began earlier in the week at St. Michael’s High School, Vulamasango High School and Evelyn Baring High School, continued with visits to Nceka High School and Dvokolwako High School, where pupils were formally recognised for successfully completing the training.
The moment was particularly significant for rural schools where access to digital infrastructure remains limited, yet ambition and talent continue to grow among pupils.
Addressing the pupils, Director of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Rejoice Maseko, said:
“STEM is a critical driver of national development, and girls must see themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers and leaders in the digital economy. Programmes such as AGCCI are designed to equip young women with the skills and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
She encouraged the pupils to pursue STEM subjects with confidence and determination, noting that initiatives like AGCCI are meant to ensure that young women are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world.
Speaking on behalf of her peers at Nceka High School, one pupil expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of ICT and the Ministry of Education and Training for ensuring that girls from rural communities are included in national digital empowerment programmes.
She described the experience as eye-opening, saying it had introduced them to opportunities in technology they had never previously considered. She further appealed for additional desktop computers and improved Wi-Fi connectivity to help pupils continue practising the skills gained during the boot camp.
Adding to the encouragement, Senior Inspector of ICT in the Ministry of Education and Training, Mr. Tsela, urged the pupils to remain committed to their education and to build on the foundation laid by the coding programme.
He challenged them to move beyond being consumers of technology and instead become creators who develop solutions that address real community challenges.
The visit also included an interactive question-and-answer session, where pupils actively engaged officials on coding, ICT careers and innovation pathways. Their participation reflected growing interest and confidence in STEM-related fields.
Outstanding pupils were recognised for their enthusiasm and engagement during the session, adding a celebratory tone to the visit.
The AGCCI certificate handover programme continues to form part of Eswatini’s broader efforts to promote girls in STEM and bridge the gender gap in technology, particularly in rural communities.
The distribution of certificates will continue on Monday, July 6, 2026, as more participating schools are visited, reinforcing the country’s commitment to empowering young women in the digital age.
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(Courtesy Pic)
