ESWATINI TEACHERS FACE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS AS GRADUATES WAIT YEARS FOR JOBS

Recent graduates from Eswatini’s teaching programs have been told by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to prepare for long waits to secure employment, as some teachers who graduated over a decade ago are still struggling to find jobs. The ongoing education crisis, marked by government underfunding and prioritization of security personnel over educators, has pushed many teachers to migrate to countries like Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Ireland in search of better opportunities.

“TSC told me to wait as they are still considering applications for teachers who have waited for over ten years,” said a recent graduate, speaking to Swaziland News. This delay reflects the worsening employment landscape for teachers in Eswatini, where systemic issues continue to plague the education sector.

Efforts to obtain a comment from TSC Chairman Dr. Amos Mahlalela were unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Lot Vilakati, Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), expressed concern over the growing shortage of teachers in schools across the country. “Schools are facing a shortage of teachers, and we are expecting the government to employ 4,000 teachers who are currently working on contracts permanently and then employ another 4,000 new teachers,” Vilakati stated. His remarks highlight the urgent need for action to address staffing shortages and stabilize the education system.

Eswatini’s education sector is facing multiple challenges, including insufficient funding, poor teacher salaries, lack of working equipment, and a chronic shortage of permanent teaching staff. These issues have created an environment where even qualified teachers struggle to secure stable employment, while students are left with overcrowded classrooms and inadequate learning resources.

The government’s failure to prioritize education has drawn criticism from educators and pro-democracy activists. Instead of investing in teachers and infrastructure, the government has funneled resources into expanding the security forces, which are often used to suppress dissent. This shift in priorities has exacerbated the crisis, leaving the education sector in a state of neglect.

For many teachers, the dire conditions have prompted them to seek opportunities abroad. Migration to countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Taiwan has become an increasingly common path for educators looking for better pay and working conditions. This brain drain further depletes Eswatini’s capacity to provide quality education to its students.

Education Minister Owen Nxumalo has yet to address the growing frustrations among teachers and graduates. Without immediate intervention, the education crisis is expected to deepen, affecting both the quality of education and the future of thousands of students in Eswatini.

The plight of teachers underscores broader systemic failures within the Tinkhundla regime, where public services are deprioritized in favor of maintaining the monarchy’s grip on power. As the education sector crumbles, the demand for accountability and reform continues to grow louder.

For recent graduates, the message from the TSC is a harsh reminder of the challenges ahead. With long waits for employment and limited opportunities in their field, many face uncertain futures, caught between a system that fails to value their skills and the prospect of leaving their country in search of a better life. The question remains: will the government step up to address the crisis, or will Eswatini’s education system continue to deteriorate under the weight of neglect?