16 Apr 2013

Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, says she is not aware of any Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) that has been advised not to implement mother tongue education. 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the MP for Selebi-Phikwe  East, Mr Gilson Saleshando, Minister Venson-Moitoi said it must be noted that the RNPE (1994) provides for the use of Setswana as a medium of instruction in standard one and a changeover to the use of English from standard two onwards.

“My ministry is aware of only one NGO by the name of Thuto Isago in Ghanzi, which has partnered with my Ministry in the use of translation services in ten Primary Schools on trial basis,” she said.

The services, she said, included the engagement of local Setswana speaking Teacher Aides who speak the children’s mother language to translate at standard one.

Dr Venson-Moitoi reminded the House that English is the country’s official language whilst the national language is Setswana.

MP Saleshando had wanted to know if NGO’s were debarred from implementing mother tongue education.

He had also asked if there were any NGO’s implementing mother tongue education and whether there was any NGO that had been advised not to implement mother tongue education. ENDS