27 Aug 2014

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Mr Kgopotso Ramoroka says the Francistown College of Education (FCE) will be transformed into an open learning university.

Addressing the on-going full council meeting, Mr Ramoroka said effective last year, the college did not receive any new students as part of efforts to pave way for transformation of the college into Botswana Open College of Distant and Open Learning’s (BOCODOL) north campus university learning.

He explained that out of the over 300 students who enrolled at the college, only 141 were remaining and were due to complete in May next year. Mr Ramoroka said although the college would be transformed into a university, it will continue as in-service centre and consultations were on-going to determine how many lecturers will be transferred to other colleges and how many will remain with the in-service centre.

He said in 2008, a study revealed that there was an over supply of teachers in the country hence the transformation of some institutions. Councillor Tabengwa Tabengwa of Ikageleng ward lamented that more emphasis was put on the academic part and vocational education was neglected.

He said there was need for the government to consider improving the quality of vocational education in the country. Councillor Buti Billy of Satellite South said the initial plan of relocating FCE to Gerald Estate and accommodating both the pre-school, primary and secondary teacher training was a good initiative.

He argued that looking at the teacher: student ratio at the public schools one could not say there was over-supply of teacher. Councillor Billy said he felt that there was still demand for teachers in order to reduce the number of students per teacher.

He however, said the tertiary education reforms are commendable as they will improve on the quality of education. Councillor Ephraim Maiketso commended the transformation but complained that the buildings at the college were dilapidated and called for their renovation.

He observed that the condition of the building could negatively impact on the quality of education. In response, Mr Ramoroka said the vocational training was not neglected hence the decision to take over the running of all brigades in order to strengthen monitoring and evaluation.  Ends