Paying for children's schooling in the Kingdom of Eswatini
In Eswatini, public primary school has been free since Free Primary Education was phased in, but secondary, boarding and private school fees push many families towards a salary-deducted loan, a SACCO or mobile savings.
What free primary education covers
Free Primary Education, rolled out gradually from 2010, pays tuition fees at public primary schools across the kingdom. Uniforms, shoes, transport and the contributions requested by some school committees remain the responsibility of families.
Secondary and boarding school fees
In secondary school, fees vary widely between a rural community school and a well-known school in Mbabane or Manzini. Boarding schools add lodging and meals, paid at the start of each term, which creates a spending peak in January.
Public support for orphans
The government pays school fees for orphans and vulnerable children admitted to secondary school, through grants paid to schools. The families concerned must have the child's eligibility confirmed by the school.
Private and international schools
Private and international schools around Mbabane charge much higher fees in emalangeni, often comparable to those in South Africa. A termly payment plan offered by the school often avoids the need for expensive credit.
Salary loans for January back-to-school
Employed parents frequently use a personal loan repaid by salary deduction to cover the January start of the school year. The instalment must remain compatible with other deductions, or a later application may be refused.
MoMo savings and dedicated accounts
Saving each month in an MTN MoMo wallet or a dedicated bank account avoids the January loan. Several banks offer fixed-term savings accounts, useful for locking away a sum until the school year begins.
SACCOs and parents' savings groups
Workplace SACCOs give members loans backed by their savings, often requested at the start of the year. Parents' groups also run rotating savings aligned with the school calendar, an option covered under microcredit in Eswatini.
Moving on to higher education
After secondary school, the government scholarship loan takes over for priority fields, as explained under the student loan in Eswatini. Final school examination results determine university admission, and therefore access to public funding.
School calendar and cash planning
The Swazi school year starts in January and is divided into three terms, each of which can bring fees. Planning termly amounts in emalangeni from November helps avoid last-minute loans on unfavourable terms.
Uniforms and supplies on credit
Clothing shops in Manzini and Mbabane sometimes offer in-store credit for school uniforms. These accounts are reported to the credit bureaus, and a single late payment can jeopardise the parents' future bank loan application.
Comparison with Lesotho
Lesotho has also introduced free primary education and faces high secondary school fees, as described under the school loan in Lesotho. Family saving strategies there are very similar to those of emaSwati.
Rate caps that apply
A school loan remains subject to the Money-Lending and Credit Financing Act and the 2016 Consumer Credit Act. Details of these rules and the available remedies are gathered on the Eswatini credit pillar page.
Preparing a Swazi family's school budget
- List the January term costs from November: tuition, boarding, uniforms, transport and supplies.
- Check whether the child qualifies for fee support for orphans and vulnerable children.
- Ask the school for a termly payment plan before considering any borrowing.
- Compare a SACCO loan, a salary-deducted personal loan and savings built up on MoMo.
- Pay the school directly by transfer and keep every receipt as proof of payment.
School expenses and ways to fund them
| Expense | Possible funding | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public primary tuition | Free Primary Education | Extra costs not covered |
| Secondary fees | Family, OVC support, loan | Depends on the school |
| Boarding | Savings or salary loan | Paid per term |
| Uniforms | Savings, store credit | Peak in January |
| Private school | School payment plan | High fees in emalangeni |
Documents for a school loan in Eswatini
- Identity card of the borrowing parent
- Recent payslips
- Invoice or letter from the school stating the fees
- Child's birth certificate
- SACCO membership book, where applicable
School funding missteps in the kingdom
- Borrowing every January without saving during the year, which means paying interest on the same recurring expense.
- Overlooking the support for orphans and vulnerable children when the child meets the conditions.
- Opening several store credit accounts for uniforms and building up arrears reported to the credit bureaus.
- Paying for a so-called private bursary advertised on Facebook that demands registration fees by mobile money.
Schooling and credit in Eswatini: your questions
Is public primary school in Eswatini completely free?
Tuition fees are covered by Free Primary Education, but not uniforms, transport or some contributions requested by schools. Families therefore need to budget for these costs in emalangeni before each January start.
How does support for orphans in Swazi secondary schools work?
The government pays schools to cover fees for orphans and vulnerable children who are admitted. Eligibility is checked with the school, and boarding costs or supplies may still be partly paid by the guardian.
Is a loan or a school payment plan better for Swazi parents?
A termly payment plan granted by the school is usually interest-free, whereas a salary loan costs interest and fees. A loan only makes sense if the school demands full payment that savings cannot cover.
Can a Swazi SACCO fund school fees?
Yes, many workplace SACCOs lend to members for the start of the school year, based on the savings they have built up. Check that the cooperative is properly registered with the FSRA before depositing family savings there.