ESHEC TRAINS 200 ACADEMIC STAFF IN ACCREDITATION AND COMPLIANCE

… higher education institutions empowered to enhance the quality and relevance of programmes

The issue of emaSwati getting a raw deal, losing significant sums of money, and wasting time on low-quality, irrelevant tertiary programmes that leave graduates struggling to find employment may soon be resolved.

Of the 96 programmes assessed by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) in the last financial year, only 6 per cent were accredited. There are 48 institutions registered with ESHEC, 11 of which are funded by the Government. ESHEC recently organised two capacity-building workshops for over 200 academic personnel, including academic leaders, programme coordinators, and quality assurance officers from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and other key stakeholders.

The workshops took place at eSibayeni Lodge in Matsapha on 17 and 19 September 2024. This proactive initiative by ESHEC aims to address the challenges institutions face in meeting regulatory requirements for programme accreditation, aligning academic content with industry needs, and ensuring that educational objectives comply with both local and international standards.

The theme for the first workshop was ‘Programme Development and Accreditation Compliance,’ equipping participants with practical tools for needs assessment and programme design. The second one themed ‘Building Sustainable Systems for Enhanced Learning Outcomes,’ empowered attendees to implement effective teaching and learning strategies while strengthening internal quality assurance systems to meet ESHEC requirements and improve educational outcomes.

ESHEC, a government entity established by the Higher Education Act of 2013, has a mandate that includes the promotion, accreditation, coordination and determination of higher education in Eswatini. Internationally renowned consultants Samuels Squared facilitated the workshops, having analysed several strategic documents covering around 45 programmes. The interactive sessions were designed to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet ESHEC’s rigorous standards.