15 May 2014

The acting Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said government recognises that primary education is integral in developing and nurturing a competitive human resource.

Speaking at the annual National Primary School Heads conference (NPSHC) in Gaborone on May 13, Mr Masisi said that was evidenced by the importance attached to education as a foundation for development.

Minister Masisi noted that human development did not start at tertiary but at childhood level. “Primary schools should therefore put in place strategies that will enhance learning and skills development, which can be achieved by total commitment of school managers amongst others,” he said.

He said school heads were catalysts in the school arena thus should offer technical and moral support to members of staff. Mr Masisi said he was reliably informed that the problem of shortage of teachers was not as acute as reflected.

“We remain committed to seeing that no class goes without a teacher in our schools, beyond this we now need to turn our attention to quality delivery of teaching and learning in our schools with a view of reducing underperformance of our leaners,” he said.

The in-service training, he said would continue as the ministry plans to ensure that primary school heads have degrees and above instead of diplomas.

Mr Masisi said issues pertaining to renovations and development had been taken up at the highest level through the ongoing exercise of “Improvements in the Education Sector,” led by the Vice President and a Committee of Cabinet ministers.

“I urge you to remain hopeful as the exercise will also result in installing a more efficient and accountable system in our educational institutions at all levels,” he said.

The acting Minister said through the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP), a number of measures would be put in place including the introduction of a two-year Pre- Primary Programme at all public primary schools between 2017 and 2018.In his welcome remarks, the South East Region director Mr Benson Rauwe said the conference was a platform for the primary school heads to exchange professional view that would take the teaching fraternity and the country forward.

The NPSHC Chairperson Mr Elias Segwagwe said their committee was formed to address unfavourable conditions which affected teachers at the time.

Mr Segwagwe stressed the importance of a good relationship between management and subordinates. A team was vital to bring desired changes that NPSHC existed to support, he said. ENDS