12 Dec 2014

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development Mr Richard Matlhare has said the objective of the boot camp is to promote holistic development amongst the youth.

He said the boot camp aimed at developing the youth emotionally, physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually so as to have well rounded youth.

Mr Matlhare who was official opening his ministry’s boot camp in Ghanzi recently said the target group was current form five leavers in all senior secondary schools across the country. 

He said each school was expected to select 16 learners comprising of 8 girls and 8 boys, and hence a total of 512 learners would participate in the boot camp.

He said the government had been conducting boot camps housed under the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture until February 2014 when government announced its transfer to Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

He said the boot camp’s main goal was to empower young people with relevant skills, competencies and attitudes.

Mr Matlhare said the boot camp came as a national response to the government, public and private sector concerns and challenges on the youth unemployment, poverty, declining social values, life threatening diseases, and of late gender based violence. 

It came up also as a response to social values among others alcohol abuse, youth indiscipline, domestic violence, drug abuse, witchcraft and vandalism which was contained in the Joint Advisory Committee of Ntlo ya Dikgosi and Botswana Council of Churches report of 2008.

Mr Matlhare said with the current boot camp his ministry wanted to develop a well-disciplined youth with psychological skills such as integrity, confidence, honesty, courage, hope, compassion, humility and diligence.

He said they want the youth to develop critical thinking and decision making skills.

Mr Matlhare appreciated the response and partnership demonstrated by the corporate world and the ministries as well as the commitment and sacrifice by facilitators and all involved in the running of the boot camp.

The deputy director of the Department of Special Support Services Ms Bontle Molefe said the government introduced the youth empowerment scheme to intervene and reverse the trends of unemployment and poverty.

She said the scheme was introduced to interface behavior change, youth empowerments, poverty eradication and skills development.

Ms Molefe said after the boot camp they want to see empowered youth who can engage in entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to the economic growth of the country. 

She said they want to see increased participation by the youth in community service and reduced number of unemployed youth.   ENDS