03 Feb 2015

In an effort to achieve and promote education standards, government has initiated the development of a five-year Education and Training Strategic Sector Plan, says the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo.

Delivering the 2015 budget speech on Monday, February 2, Mr Matambo said the first draft of the plan had been produced and would be shared with stakeholders for comments before the end of the 2014/2015 financial year.

He said investment in education was a pre-requisite for a productive workforce, which was necessary for sustainable economic growth.  Minister Matambo told Parliament that the plan aimed at providing an overall policy and strategic framework for education and training. 

“It is therefore expected to improve the quality and relevance of education by focusing on teacher development and professionalism, as well as strengthening skills development by restructuring the education system,” he added. 

Furthermore, Mr Matambo said the Plan would increase equitable access to education by intensifying the use of Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) countrywide, which he said was an important tool for efficient delivery of public services to Batswana. 

In order to enhance innovation in the public sector, the minister said government had adopted the e-Government programme, which includes; application and issuance of various government permits, licenses and certificates, providing information on legislative/administrative notices, as well as payment services such as tax refunds. ENDS