07 Dec 2014

Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Unity Dow says mismatch of skills has resulted in an escalation of educational qualifications, with highly educated people taking jobs that previously employed workers with lower levels of education.

Speaking at Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) and University of Derby graduation ceremony recently, Dr Dow said even though the 2014 World Bank Policy Note indicated that tertiary education attainment had now reached seven per cent up from two per cent in 1995, the ability of the economy to absorb such skills had lagged due to mismatch.

She explained that the policy aimed to provide government with concrete suggestions for policy interventions that may strengthen skills base of the workforce and thus facilitate economic diversification and employment.

She applauded BAC for the tremendous growth from enrolling 400 students in 1996 to 3000 to date and offering more than 25 programmes.

Enrollments in tertiary institutions, she said had increased in recent years due to increased transition and completion rates in basic and secondary education.

She added that her ministry was implementing a five year Transformational Strategy with a view to position the education sector to play a catalytic role in transforming Botswana into a knowledge society and a high income country.

As such, Dr Dow encouraged graduates to tap into the various virgin areas of the industry and be employers.BAC executive director, Mr Mike Lesolle urged graduates not to make ‘easy’ choices and not to set their ambition too low.

“With your skills and your confidence why should you ever settle for second best or not aspire to the heights? Do not suffer from poverty of ambition,” he said.

Mr Lesolle said in developing their careers, graduates should not underestimate the capacity they had to benefit the society as well as themselves adding that graduate attributes were highly correlated with positive aspects of citizenship.

Ms Botshelo Laletsang, who graduated overall best student in Bachelor of Arts (honors) in Finance and Accounting said she would fruitfully use her skills to benefit the country. She said hard work got her four awards from different institutions. ENDS