BY NELILE NXUMALO
MBABANE – Government officials and development partners have launched Japan’s fourth grant aid project aimed at strengthening education infrastructure and promoting inclusive learning opportunities across Eswatini.
The initiative was introduced during a consultative committee meeting attended by Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The meeting was also attended by Kaora Okada, Chief Representative of the JICA South Africa Office.
The gathering marked the official commencement of Japan’s fourth Grant Aid Project under the Economic and Social Development Programme for Eswatini. The project is expected to support improvements in secondary school infrastructure across the country’s four regions while promoting inclusive education for learners with disabilities.
Speaking during the meeting, Nkambule reaffirmed Government’s commitment to promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in line with national policies and international agreements.
He explained that the project seeks to address barriers that prevent some learners from fully accessing education. According to the Principal Secretary, improving school infrastructure will help remove mobility challenges faced by learners with disabilities and ensure that they can participate more fully in the education system.
Nkambule added that strengthening inclusive education is essential in ensuring that all learners, regardless of physical ability, have equal opportunities to learn, develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Okada highlighted that the partnership between JICA and the Government of Eswatini aims to strengthen the country’s education sector by improving learning facilities and expanding access to quality education.
He noted that the project will support the development of more accessible school environments while creating better conditions for teaching and learning in secondary schools across the country.
The collaboration also reflects Japan’s continued support for social and economic development initiatives in Eswatini. Through its development assistance programmes, Japan has partnered with the country on several projects aimed at improving public services and strengthening national institutions.
The grant aid programme forms part of broader cooperation between the Government of Japan and Eswatini, particularly in the education sector where investments in infrastructure and learning resources are helping to expand opportunities for young people.
Officials indicated that further consultations will be conducted to determine the implementation process of the project. These discussions will also identify the specific schools and communities that will benefit from the initiative.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to inclusive education by ensuring that schools are better equipped to accommodate learners with diverse needs, ultimately strengthening Eswatini’s education system and supporting equal access to learning opportunities.
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