Sebenta National Institute (SNI) is a category “A” Public Enterprise under the Ministry of Education and Training, which was established in 1960 to provide a variety of services that enable people to attain personal development through basic literacy, non-formal education and vocational skills training. Initially, SNI was mandated to provide basic literacy to adults, however, owing to socio-economic circumstances and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the family structure, Sebenta’s mandate was extended to provide non-formal primary education and vocational skills training to out of school children, youth and adults throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Over the years, Sebenta National Institute has embraced the definition of functional literacy that was adopted in 1978 by UNESCO’s General Conference and is still in use today which states that “a person who is functionally literate is an

individual who can engage in all those activities in which literacy is required, for effective functioning of his group and community and also for enabling him to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his own and the community’s development.’. As a way of functionalizing the reading, writing and numeracy skills acquired from the basic literacy programs offered, the Institute has introduced the following skills: carpentry, computer skills (computer literacy and the ICDL), construction, fence making, plumbing, sewing, and welding.

Currently, SNI is the only organization, in the country, that is tasked with the responsibility of taking care of the teaching and learning needs of adults, the youth and children of school going age who, for a variety of reasons, are out of the formal education system. The Institutes only mandate is to provide educational access for those who have never been to school, have dropped out of school or lack basic Vocational skills to achieve personal goals. We pledge our commitment to continue ensuring that no Liswati is left behind in contributing to the economy of country because of illiteracy. Sebenta National Institute operates from its head office in Mbabane, with centers spread throughout the country. These said operational centers are categorised into nine regions which are Nhlangano, Hluti, Mankayane, Sithobelweni, Big Bend, Manzini, Mbabane, Simunye and Pigg's Peak.