Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
Between 2000 and 2013, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education in Eswatini fluctuated around a narrow range from 4.27% to 6.44% over the years. Initial government funding per tertiary student amounted to 427.67% of GDP per capita in 2020 and 137.58% in 2014, while data on initial household funding were not available.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not tuition-free. The Higher Education Act (2013) does not establish free tuition but instead provides that “fees to be charged by higher education institutions” fall within the advisory mandate of the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC). As illustrated by the example of the University of Eswatini, higher education institutions determine and charge tuition fees in accordance with their own statutes and internal regulations, subject to consultation and approval by the Ministry of Education and Training where applicable.
Governance
According to the Higher Education Act (2013), the main public body responsible for financing and overseeing higher education in Eswatini is the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). The Ministry holds overall responsibility for allocating public funds to higher education institutions, formulating sector policies, and ensuring alignment with national education priorities. The Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) is established under the same Act, advises the Minister on financial matters affecting the sector and oversees the registration, accreditation, and quality assurance of all tertiary institutions.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no decentralised funding mechanisms for transferring public resources from the central government to local governments for higher education. Higher education financing and oversight remain fully centralisedunder the MoET, which assigns the Minister responsibility for higher education policy, planning, and financing, while the ESHEC serves in an advisory and regulatory capacity.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
There is no provision in national law or policy specifying that private universities receive government funding when no public university is available. The Higher Education Act (2013) and the ESHEC Annual Performance Report (2022/2023) indicate that ESHEC’s financial mandate is limited to public institutions. It is stated that it receives and reviews budgets for public higher education institutions and plans funding for higher education and research.
Allocation and equity
No evidence was found of any equity-based or formula-driven mechanisms guiding government subsidy allocations to public higher education institutions.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission criteria for vulnerable groups in Eswatini’s higher education institutions. However, the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) Programme Evaluation Standards and Guidelinesrequire institutions to ensure that admission procedures are fair, transparent, and promote equity and inclusiveness, including provisions for learners with special educational needs to access and succeed in higher education. Institutions may demonstrate compliance with these admission standards through evidence such as published recruitment materials, documented entry requirements, admission policies and records, and policies promoting equity, inclusivity, and gender mainstreaming.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The Government of Eswatini administers the Tertiary Education Scholarship and Study Loan Programme through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The scheme aims to expand access to quality tertiary education for all qualifying citizens. Eligible applicants must be Eswatini citizens who have completed secondary education and gained admission to an accredited tertiary institution. The programme provides comprehensive financial support covering tuition, books, accommodation, meals, and a student allowance for personal expenses. Tuition-related loans are 50% subsidised, while student assistance loans are fully payable. Although the programme is merit-based and prioritises national fields of study such as science, education, and health, rather than explicitly targeting disadvantaged groups, it plays a key role in improving access to higher education by offsetting living and study costs for qualifying students.
4. Support for students’ living costs
No separate government programmes were found providing transportation, accommodation, or textbook support for tertiary students outside the national scholarship scheme. These costs are only covered under the Tertiary Education Scholarship, which includes allowances for accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.
