Mbabane – The Ministry of Education and Training has officially renamed the Grade 7 national assessment the Eswatini Primary School Assessment (EPSA), Minister Owen Nxumalo announced during the release of the 2025 results.
The change reflects the Competency Based Education (CBE) approach, under which the assessment serves as a diagnostic tool rather than a pass-or-fail exam. The 2025 Grade 7 cohort was the first to be evaluated under the CBE system.
Results show that 87.3 percent of candidates achieved Sufficient or higher, up from 83.15 percent in 2024. A total of 32 452 candidates registered for the assessment, a 9.51 percent increase from 29 635 in 2024. Of those, 32 300 were assessed, while 152 were absent.
Individually, 1 181 candidates attained Excellent (413 males and 768 females), 4 522 achieved Very Good, 16 574 obtained Good, 5 923 reached Sufficient, and 4 100 were in the Insufficient category.
Under the new reporting system, candidates receive a detailed Statement of Achievement showing competencies attained in each subject, while schools get centre reports comparing performance per subject with national results.
Minister Nxumalo commended teachers, head teachers, parents, and learners for adapting to the new assessment methods, which included practical tests and the addition of Health and Physical Education, Expressive Arts, and Information and Communication Technology.
All 18 reported cases of examination malpractice were investigated and resolved, and results were released for all schools. Nxumalo reminded that malpractice remains a criminal offence under the ECESWA Act of 2023.
Parents were urged to make early arrangements for Grade 8 placements, and school heads were reminded to admit all qualifying learners according to ministry policies.
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