Mbabane – The Swaziland National Association of Teachers has voiced concern over widening salary gaps in the public sector following the 2025 Salary Review Exercise, arguing that the current pay structure sends troubling signals to young people about the value of education in Eswatini.
The union, founded in 1928 and formally recognised by government, told its members during a recent assembly that pupils should understand the reality facing professionals in the country. SNAT said many educators now believe that political influence carries more weight than formal qualifications.
The remarks came after the latest salary adjustments for government office bearers. According to the union’s breakdown, an Indvuna Yenkhundla received an increment of E5 360.80 before allowances and medical aid, while a diploma qualified teacher at C3 Notch 1 with three years of training received an increase of E4 237.33. SNAT reminded members that teachers are not covered by a government medical aid scheme. 
The union shared the revised salary structure showing uniform increases of 53.414 percent across office bearers. The figures are presented below:
| Office bearer | Old salary | Increase | New salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucopho | E8 211.53 | E4 386.11 | E12 597.64 |
| Indvuna Yenkhundla | E10 036.31 | E5 360.80 | E15 397.11 |
| Legislator or member of emabandla | E54 743.50 | E29 240.83 | E83 984.33 |
| Deputy presiding officer | E63 867.44 | E34 114.14 | E97 981.58 |
| Regional Administrator | E68 429.40 | E36 550.91 | E104 980.31 |
| Cabinet minister or Speaker or Senate president | E77 553.32 | E41 424.33 | E118 977.65 |
| Deputy Prime Minister | E86 677.31 | E46 297.74 | E132 975.05 |
| Prime Minister | E91 239.20 | E48 734.55 | E139 973.71 |
SNAT said the comparison raises difficult questions for teachers, learners and policymakers about whether education still leads to professional stability in Eswatini.
