Secondary education in Eswatini is a five-year program divided into three years of junior secondary and two years of senior secondary school or high school. Students have to sit for an external public examination, the Junior Certificate, at the end of the junior secondary, which will determine their progression to the senior secondary level.
The secondary school curriculum offers a wide range of subjects, which are grouped into core subjects and electives. Schools here offer a minimum of at least six subjects at both Junior certificate and Swaziland General Certificate of Education (SGCSE), levels. There are more than 217 junior and senior secondary schools in Eswatini.
Secondary Education
- Grades: 8-12
- Levels: junior secondary (grades 8-10), senior secondary (grades 11-12)
- Duration: 3 years
- Primary Languages: English
- Terms : 3 terms
- Admission Term: Beginning of the term- January.
- Awards: Junior Certificate, IGCSE, or SGCSE.
Secondary school Curriculum
The Secondary School Curriculum is broad and as follows: Students will take core subjects At the junior secondary level, including mathematics, English, siSwati, science, and at least three elective subjects from a list that includes history, geography, religious studies, French and practical subjects including agriculture, business studies, home economics, and technical studies. A minimum of six subjects is offered at the senior level.
Let us briefly look at some of the schools offering education for international students in the kingdom of Eswatini. Most offer instruction in English, and some offer French as well as the local language. Some of these schools include:
Sifundzani High School- thisis an international coeducational day school in Mbabane, Eswatini. It offers an educational program from grades 1 through 12 for students of all nationalities. The school pioneered and established the IGCSE and HIGCSE syllabus in Eswatini, but the HIGCSE was discontinued, hence the school now offers AS Level.
- Address: 114 Fonteyn Road, Mbabane, Swaziland H100
- Established: 1996
- Grades: 1-12
- Language: English
- Type: Private, coeducational.
- Admission Term: the beginning of 1st term-January
- Terms: 3
Curriculum- the school offers a broad curriculum based on the British system. The school offers an IGCSE and Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS level) based curriculum with subjects such as First Language English (Compulsory), Mathematics, History, Physical Science, Art and Design, Biology, Accounting, Geography, Economics, to mention but a few. Students also learn French and Portuguese.
AS Level- In the 5th year of secondary school, students will sit for the Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary Level. to be admitted into Form 5 (AS Level), the student must have achieved at least a grade B in five subjects at the IGCSE level, including English Language. Each student is expected to register a minimum of 4 subjects and a maximum of 5 from the following subjects: First Language English (Compulsory), Mathematics, History, Physical Science, Art and Design, Biology, Environmental Management, Accounting, Geography, Economics, Business Studies, French or Portuguese, and Computer Science.
Sports and extracurricular activities- students have access to take part in any sport and extracurricular activity of their choice. These include Volleyball, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Music, Public Speaking, and Netball, to mention but a few.
Waterford Kamhlaba United World College
This is an international Christian founded school providing opportunities for academic achievement, personal growth, and leadership development for young people across Africa and the world at large. It offers education from Forms 1 to 5, with Form 5 sitting the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) qualification, followed by two years of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Students from all levels also take part in weekly community service as part of their education.
- Established: 1963
- Address: Waterford Park, Mbabane
- Grades: form 1 to 5
- Language of Instruction: English
- Curriculum: IGCSE / GCSE, International Baccalaureate, Other
- Student population: 600+
- National representation: 60 nationalities
The school offers a program range divided into 3 levels, the lower school, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), and the International Baccalaureate (IB). lets us briefly look at these.
Lower school
This encompasses forms 1 to 3.
In Form 1-2- at this stage, the school aims to assist students to adapt to the new environment. The program offers mixed ability classes and Each student is assigned a Tutor who oversees their progress and offers guidance. It helps students to adapt to moving between classes, and to develop effective studying habits, to mention but a few.
In Form 3, the school introduces creative arts and language subjects including Art, Drama, Music and siSwati, Spanish as an extra second language, and French.
Subjects offered in lower school include English, French, SiSwati, Spanish (introduced in Form 3 onwards), Drama, Mathematics, Information Technology, History, Geography, General Science, Physical Education, Life Skills, Art, and Music.
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)- this is a program taught in Form 4 and 5, for 14 to 16-year-olds. taught in Form 4 and 5. Cambridge IGCSE is an internationally recognized and popular qualification. The IGCSE curriculum offers a variety of routes for students with a wide range of abilities. It helps improve student performance by developing skills in creative thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving. Students will develop skills including Subject content, Applying knowledge and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations, Intellectual inquiry, Flexibility and responsiveness to change, Working and communicating in English, Influencing outcomes, and Cultural awareness, to mention but a few.
In this program, students study subjects including English, French, SiSwati, Spanish, Drama, Mathematics, General Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, Physical Education, IT, Art, and Music.
International Baccalaureate (IB)- the International Baccalaureate (IB) is more than just educational programs but also offers education and competence in various areas. Various Activities, sports, global concerns, and community engagement are also included. The International Baccalaureate Diploma program offers schools a wide range of subjects to choose from in the areas of languages, science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. Subjects are as follows:
Languages- English A and B, French B and Ab initio, SiSwati A, Spanish B, and Ab initio, and other School supported mother tongue Languages.
Humanities- History, Geography, Anthropology, Psychology, Business Management, Economics, Global Politics, and Environmental Systems and Societies.
Arts- Visual Arts, Music, and Theatre.
Science- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Systems and Societies
Mathematics- Standard Level, and Higher Level Math Studies
In addition to studying six subjects, a student in the International Baccalaureate Diploma program is required to undertake the Theory of Knowledge course (assessed through an oral presentation) and write an Extended Essay.
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)
This is a mandatory core component of the International Baccalaureate Programme where Students participate in a variety of CAS experiences over 18 months. Students are recommended to dedicate about 3 to 4 hours per week to CAS. Below are some of the activities and programs that are part of the CAS Programme at Waterford:
Community Service- allows students to make a difference in the communities around them
Msunduza Care Point – students here provide a meal for the children at the pre-school and also play with the children and spend a few hours there each week.
AWARE – this is animal welfare and rabies education conserve and students spend time exercising and socializing with the animals.
SOS Sport and Swimming – students take a group of children and assist and teach them in different sporting codes including basketball, volleyball, football, and netball.
Vision Conserve –an eye testing project for IB 2 students.
Government Hospital Service- where students work at the Government Hospital and assist in the pharmacy by packing tablets for use in the hospital and the out-patient clinics.
Extracurricular activities- the school offers several sporting activities. Sports codes include soccer, athletics, volleyball, swimming, netball, tennis, hockey, chess, rugby, basketball, and badminton, to mention but a few. The schools take part in these sporting codes competitively against other inter international schools and local schools. Clubs here include the Link Group, Model United Nations, Leadership Development Forum, Writing Club, Public Speaking, and Young Heroes, to mention but a few.
Facilities- The school has many facilities including, but not limited to a hockey field, soccer field, tennis court, basketball court, swimming pool, netball courts, outdoor volleyball, and an indoor multi-purpose hall, and a gym.
Prospective students
To get enrolled, students must take an entrance test. This will determine if they are competent enough to be accepted into the school. Other basic requirements include A Passport copy
- entrance fee
- Student visa/ study permit
- Application fee payment
- Copy of the student’s Latest Report
- Two recent passport photographs
- Student’s passport
- Copy of student’s birth certificate
