Meeting emaSwati Learners Where They Are: Teaching at the Right Level Opens Doors to Future Skills in the Kingdom of Eswatini

Nine-year-old Thandeka sits at the front of her classroom in rural Eswatini, tracing letters on a piece of paper. A few weeks ago, she could not read a single word. Today, she sounds out simple words, pausing between syllables before looking up at her teacher with a quiet sense of pride. Around her, some children are counting using bottle tops, while others read aloud from word cards. Each group is working on something different, learning at a pace that matches their current skills. For students like Thandeka, this small shift is opening the door not only to learning but also to future skills and opportunities.