PROSPECTUS

2024/2025

Information for prospective students

P.O. Box 87, Manzini. Eswatini

Website: www.wpc.ac.sz
 1.0 FOREWORD

William Pitcher College, the oldest government teacher training

institution in the country, is the home of training teachers for schools.
Located, about two kilometres from Manzini, the hub of Eswatini, the
college is easily accessible from all corners of the country. For a student
who seeks quality teacher training programmes, William Pitcher
College is the name to keep in mind.

The college offers Primary and Secondary teachers’ diploma

programmes. The programmes take three years to complete. William
Pitcher College is affiliated to the University of Eswatini and all its
programmes are moderated and approved by the university. Hence, it is
the University of Eswatini that awards the diplomas to the graduates of
the college.

The purpose of this document is to provide information to prospective

students who would like to be admitted to train to be either primary or
secondary school teachers. Please note that the information contained
in this leaflet was correct at the time of publishing but may be changed
without notice.

Principal

Our Vision

To be a leading regional tertiary education institution through teaching,

research and community service

Our Mission

A leading educational institution providing access to quality, relevant,

affordable, pre-service, in-service, part-time/distance, undergraduate and
graduate learning experiences through teaching, research and innovation;
engage in community partnership responding to opportunities and demands
to advance excellence, diversity, equity, quality of life nationally, regionally
and internationally

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2.0 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

William Pitcher College developed from the Government Teacher Training

Centre which was established in 1953 and shared the same premises with
the Swazi National School in Matsapha. In 1958, a desire for a bigger teacher
training institution resulted in the relocation of the training centre to
Manzini. In August 1962, a Teacher Training College was officially opened in
Manzini by Sir John Maud C.C.B., C.B.E. in the present William Pitcher College
location. In October 1963, the College was renamed William Pitcher College
in honour and memory of the late William Pitcher ESQ, OBE, who was the
director of education from 1951 to 1962.

Initially, the College offered T4 (Primary Lower) and T3 (Primary Higher)

programmes. After the country’s national Independence in 1968, there was a
dire need for Secondary School education, hence the establishment of new
public schools and expansion of already operating ones. To cater for the
demand of teachers, a two year Secondary Teacher’s Certificate (STC)
programme began in 1970 while the T4 and T3 programmes were revised
and replaced with the two year Primary Teachers Certificate (PTC)
programme. In 1986, the Primary and Secondary Teachers Certificate
programmes were phased out and replaced with three (3) year Diploma
programmes.

In 1975, the College had started offering a one-year In-service Home

Economics Course for serving Primary School Teachers. However, this
programme was phased out in 2005 since the Home Economics component
was already part of the Primary Teachers Diploma programme.

In the 1980’s the country experienced a shortage of Junior Secondary School

teachers hence the need to train more Secondary School Teachers. The
Primary Teachers Diploma programme (PTD) was then phased out in order
to increase intake for the Secondary Teachers Diploma programme. The last
crop of the Primary Teachers Diploma completed in November 1993
.Thereafter, the College concentrated in training secondary school teachers.
PTD was re-introduced in 2009 since the country needed more primary
school teachers due to the introduction of Free Primary Education.
Currently, the College offers one programme; Secondary Teachers’ Diploma.
Due to the need to train more Secondary School Teachers, in various subjects

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offered at the secondary school level, which are currently not offered in the
secondary.

COLLEGE MAJOR EVENTS

Semester 1
Orientation for first years only
Registration
Sports day
Mid semester break
Graduation ceremony
End of semester examinations
Semester 2
Admissions
Mid semester break
End of semester examinations
Teaching Practice
Supplementary examinations

3.0 PROGRAMME AVAILABLE IN 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

Secondary Teachers Diploma (3 years)
This is a three year post O’ level / IGCSE/ SGCSE course for teaching at
secondary school level. The duration of the Diploma programme shall
normally be three academic years. Students choose their major subjects
in Year 1. Teaching practice is done for 6 weeks in year 2 and year 3
respectively.

4.0 OVERALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

5.01. A minimum of six (6) passes at SGCSE examination or
equivalent including English Language, three (3) of which
must be credits. Of the three (3) credits, two shall be in the
relevant teaching subjects as listed under Group B in regulation
6.01.2, forming the students approved majors.

OR
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5.02. A Secondary Teachers Certificate plus at least two (2) years
successful teaching experience. Such qualified candidates may
enter the Diploma at second year level.
OR
5.03. A Primary Teachers Certificate pass at credit level plus at least
three (3) O ‘Level credits in the relevant teaching subjects and a
minimum of a pass in English Language and at least two (2)
years teaching experience.
OR
5.04. Any other equivalent qualification approved by the Board of
Affiliated Institutions.

5.05. Students who have passed some courses in other Institutions of

higher learning, may be exempted from taking those courses
again.

6.0. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

6.01. The programme of training comprise the following groups of
subjects.
6.01.1 GROUP A — Professional Studies – Core courses
Teaching Practice
Education
Special and inclusive education

6.01.2 GROUP B - Content Majors – Required courses

Required courses shall be drawn from the following subject

combinations:

(a) English and SiSwati

(b) Mathematics and Science
(c) English and Geography
(d) English and Religious Education
(e) SiSwati and Religious Education
(f) English and French
(g) ICT and Mathematics
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 (h) ICT and Science

N.B. The combination of major subjects are determined by the college

and approved by BAI from time to time in line with prevailing school
curriculum and requirement for teachers. Hence, other combinations
are not offered every year and these include History and Geography.

6.01.3 GROUP C – Required Course

Academic Communication Skills

6.01.4 GROUP D - General education courses

 Music
 Physical Education
 Information &Communication Technology (ICT)
 Psychosocial Support
6.02.1 YEAR 1 Students will do Groups A, B, C & D subjects except
Teaching Practice

6.02.2 YEAR 2 Students will do Groups A, B, C & D subjects including

Teaching Practice

6.02.3 YEAR 3 Students do Groups A & B subjects including Teaching Practice

7.0. COLLEGE FEES

STD
Application E100
Acceptance fee E200
Supplementary examinations ( per E100
course)
Student membership (SRC) – 1st years E330
Student membership (SRC) – 2nd years E150
Student membership (SRC) – 3rd years E150
Identity card E100
Certificate fee (3rd years only) E100
Graduation Fee E200
Repeating fee per course E708

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 Tuition E 4960
Residence (Excluding Meals) E 5200
Book fee E 2000
Protective clothing allowance ( first year PTD students only) N/A
Project allowance ( 3rd year) E 500
Teaching practice allowance ( 2nd and 3rd year only) E 1500
N.B. Fees are reviewed annually to accommodate the increasing
cost of resources.

Self-sponsored students pay all required fees at any Government Revenue

offices according to the following college account information.

Head: 304
Centre: 7101
Item: 61101
Payment should be done before registration.

8.0. ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION

8.1. Application
a. Application forms are obtainable from the college website:
www.wpc.ac.sz. NO forms will be issued at the College.
b. Application forms are to be completed and returned by 05th April,
2024, online, with non- refundable application fee payable at any
Government revenue office.
c. Applicants should scan and attach all required documents with their
application form, otherwise no application form will be considered
without recently certified copies of certificates and the
application fee receipt attached.
8.2. Admissions
a. Successful candidates will be informed through media. If your name is
not in the list that will be in the media that would mean your
application was unsuccessful.
b. Admission letters has to be obtained in person from the college upon
production of National ID.
8.3. Orientation
All new candidates are expected to attend the College orientation for
first years before registration. The purpose of the orientation is to
provide candidates with information they will need to navigate the
institution.
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 8.4. Registration
a. Admitted candidates register on specified dates beginning of academic
year to be announced.
b. Registration is not complete until the candidates’ original certificate
has been validated by the college.
c. Fraudulent certificates will lead to instant dismissal.

9.0. COLLEGE FACILITIES AND SERVICES

i. Hostel – the institution has acute shortage of student accommodation.
First year students who do not get accommodation on campus are
encouraged to seek for alternative accommodation outside the campus.
ii. Meals - Students are expected to provide their own meals.
iii. Medical services- In cases of medical emergencies the students are
taken to Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) hospital. A guardian or parent
would be expected to take charge thereafter.
iv. Internet- the College has Wi-Fi-enabled zones. Only fully registered
students have access to Wi-Fi.
v. Blended learning: All lessons are delivered both on-line (WPC e-
learning Portal) and face-to face. You are expected to provide yourself
with the necessary gadgets and internet data when away from the
college Wi-Fi Zone.
vi. Library services: Books in the service are for both lecturers and
students. Only registered members may borrow out for a period of 14
days but everyone is free to read books in the library.
10.0. Students’ Organisations

Students’ Government is the Student Representative Council (SRC). It

consists of President, Secretary General and seven council members.
The SRC is formed under a constitution approved by the college
administration. The SRC has a responsibility to establish
communication channels and cooperation between the students and the
administration. It also organises various kinds of entertainment and
sports-related activities. All students by virtue of being in the college
pay membership fee of the SRC and the amount is payable on
registration for first year students.