Examination Council Of Eswatini

In the heart of Eswatini’s scenic Ezulwini Valley, the Examination Council of Eswatini (ECES) stands as a cornerstone of educational excellence and assessment integrity. As the premier national body responsible for conducting and managing examinations, the council ensures that every learner in the kingdom has access to fair, transparent, and credible evaluation. From primary school leaving certificates to junior secondary and pre-tertiary qualifications, the council’s work shapes the futures of thousands of students each year, upholding standards that are recognized both locally and across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The team behind the council works with dedication to develop, administer, and grade examinations that measure true learning, critical thinking, and practical skills aligned with the national curriculum.

Visitors to the Examination Council of Eswatini find more than a government office—they find a hub of academic opportunity. The headquarters in Ezulwini is a welcoming environment where teachers, parents, school administrators, and learners engage with the council’s services. Whether it’s registering for a national exam, obtaining a replacement certificate, verifying an academic record, or inquiring about the latest syllabus updates, the council’s staff provide prompt and professional assistance. The facility is equipped with modern record-keeping systems that ensure the security and confidentiality of every candidate’s data, making it a trusted resource for both the education sector and the general public. The council also partners with schools and the Ministry of Education and Training to offer continuous professional development workshops that help educators improve their assessment techniques and align classroom instruction with national goals.

Services & Examinations Offered

At the core of the Examination Council of Eswatini’s mission is the design and delivery of a wide array of assessments. The council administers the Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC), the Junior Certificate (JC), and the internationally benchmarked Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE). Additionally, the council coordinates the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examinations in partnership with UK-based awarding bodies. Each of these certificates is a gateway to further study, vocational training, or employment, and the council works tirelessly to ensure that every examination cycle is handled with precision—from setting papers to marking and results release. The council also offers a results verification service for employers and tertiary institutions, which has become essential for cross-border recognition.

Beyond conventional school-leaving examinations, the council has expanded its reach into technical and vocational education and training (TVET) assessment. It now delivers national trade tests and competency-based evaluations for fields such as bricklaying, electrical installation, motor vehicle mechanics, and information technology. These assessments are developed in close consultation with industry experts and the Eswatini Higher Education Council, making them directly relevant to the labor market. The Examination Council of Eswatini also provides guidance on continuous assessment frameworks used within junior and senior secondary schools, helping teachers integrate project-based learning into their classrooms. The council’s examination development unit regularly publishes sample papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports to help schools and private candidates better prepare for each session.

Registration & Certification Support

Navigating the examination system is straightforward with the council’s dedicated student and school support channels. Schools can register entire cohorts via the electronic school portal, which streamlines the capture of candidate data and subject choices. Private candidates and re-sit applicants are personally guided through every step, from completing the registration form to paying the required fees. After results are published, the council issues official certificates that carry the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Eswatini. For those who need replacement documents due to loss or damage, the council’s certification department in Ezulwini handles requests within a reasonable turnaround time. The same department verifies authenticity for external bodies, ensuring that certificates issued by the Examination Council of Eswatini are always respected as genuine and authoritative.

The Examination Process: From Paper to Results

The Examination Council of Eswatini follows a rigorous, multi-step process to guarantee assessment integrity. It begins with the setting of examination papers by subject panels composed of experienced teachers, curriculum specialists, and university lecturers. All papers undergo an internal vetting process before being externally reviewed and finally approved for printing. To protect against leakage, the council stores printed materials in a secure, access-controlled vault at the Ezulwini facility. A dedicated logistics team then distributes papers to examination centers across all four regions of the country—Hhohho, Manzini, Shiselweni, and Lubombo—using sealed containers and a detailed chain-of-custody protocol. On exam day, trained invigilators administer the test under strict supervision, and all scripts are returned to the council’s central processing unit for marking.

Marking is undertaken by a pool of appointed examiners who work in a controlled, anonymous environment to eliminate any bias. The council uses both traditional paper-based marking and, increasingly, digital scoring platforms for selected objective-response sections. After marking, a thorough grade review and standardization meeting ensures that results are fair across all subjects and years. The council’s data management unit then releases results to schools and candidates through a secure online portal and SMS service. Because of this meticulous approach, the Examination Council of Eswatini has earned a reputation for zero tolerance of malpractice and a commitment to transparency. Stakeholders can request a re-mark or a script review by following the council’s clearly defined appeals procedure, which is publicly available and designed to be accessible to all.

Serving Ezulwini & the Hhohho District

Being located in Ezulwini gives the Examination Council of Eswatini a strategic advantage. The town is a well-connected point in the Hhohho District, lying between the commercial hub of Mbabane and the industrial center of Matsapha. This central position makes it convenient for teachers, parents, and education officers from all corners of the district to access the council without the need for long-distance travel. The office is situated along Unnamed Road, near the H5CP+JRW coordinates, and is easily reachable by public transport, including the well-organized bus and taxi routes that connect Ezulwini with surrounding areas like Lobamba, Malkerns, and Manzini. Ample parking is available for those driving to the premises, and the building itself is fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Examination Council of Eswatini actively participates in the local community. Staff members are regularly involved in career guidance days at nearby schools such as Ezulwini Primary and Waterford Kamhlaba, helping students understand the importance of national examinations and how to prepare for them effectively. The council also partners with the Ezulwini Municipality on education-focused events and supports government initiatives aimed at improving literacy and numeracy rates in the region. During examination seasons, the council provides briefings for local transportation services to ensure that no candidate in remote corners of the Hhohho District is left behind due to travel challenges. This place-based commitment reinforces the council’s role as a genuinely local institution with national reach.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

Quality is not taken for granted at the Examination Council of Eswatini—it is built into every function. The council is working toward ISO 9001 certification for its examination management system, and it has already adopted a quality management framework that covers every phase of its operations. An internal monitoring and evaluation unit regularly audits marking processes, storage conditions, and data handling practices, making evidence-based recommendations for improvement. The council also participates in benchmarking exercises with other examination bodies in the region, including the Botswana Examinations Council and the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, to align its procedures with international best practice.

Technology plays a growing role in advancing the council’s quality agenda. The adoption of a digital candidate registration system has dramatically reduced errors and processing time. Plans are underway to introduce an e-marking platform for subjects that include extended writing components, which will allow for more nuanced feedback to schools. The council also invests in the training of its human resources, with examiners and support staff regularly attending workshops on item response theory, rubric development, and data privacy law. For candidates with special needs, the council has developed an accommodations policy that provides for braille papers, extra time, and separate quiet rooms, ensuring that assessment truly measures ability rather than disability. These continuous improvement efforts make the Examination Council of Eswatini a forward-looking organization ready to meet the challenges of 21st-century education.

Hours, Location & Directions

The Examination Council of Eswatini welcomes visitors during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 16:30. The office remains closed on weekends and public holidays. The official address is H5CP+JRW, Unnamed Road, Ezulwini, Eswatini. For those using GPS navigation, the coordinates -26.4283908, 31.187081 will bring you directly to the entrance. From the MR3 highway, take the Ezulwini exit and follow signs toward the Ezulwini Industrial Site; the council building is a short drive past the Ezulwini Handcraft Market. The main phone line is +268 2417 8000 for general inquiries, and the website—http://www.examscouncil.org.sz—offers downloadable forms, examination timetables, and the latest official announcements. While no dedicated email address is publicly listed, the website’s contact form provides a direct way to reach the appropriate department.