08 Apr 2014

In an effort to improve Botswana’s vocational education training, a tripartite project between tBotswana, the Republic of Korea and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a joint project under the ‘Better Education for Africa’s Rise’ (BEAR) is underway.

In an interview  at the beginning of a three-day workshop in Gaborone, an expert from the Republic of Korea, Professor Bong Gun Chung of Seoul National University said the project was meant to upgrade Botswana’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

The project, he said, would focus on developing curriculum for three courses; culinary arts, travel management and hospitality management.

Prof Bong Gun Chung stated that they were sharing success and practices from the Korean Research Institute of Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) with local experts and lectures of TVET in Botswana.

The piloting, he said, was expected to start in August this year at Gaborone Technical College, Francistown Technical College as well as Maun Technical College with implementation of the new curriculum to foster skilled graduates for the Hospitality and Tourism industry.

He observed that Botswana’s TVET curriculum was already good compared to other African states, but only needed to be upgraded to the level of Diploma among other things.

At the end of the project he said, Botswana would be able to help other African states to develop their TVET curriculums through the South to South Cooperation, where developing countries assist one another.

The BEARS project in partnership with UNESCO would take place under five countries of Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. ENDS