18 Jan 2016

Serowe and Palapye brigades are undergoing rationalisation and construction courses will be transferred to Palapye whilst livestock and forestry courses will be based at Serowe Brigades.

Officially briefing a delegation from Seychelles Ministry of Education,  Serowe Brigade principal, Mr Peter Nakedi informed the team that his institution was rationalising in order to improve on the quality of training offered. 

The delegation was in Botswana from January 11-17 as a follow up to the visit by the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Unity Dow to the Seychelles in September 2015.

The delegation visited various institutions where they learned about apprenticeship, curriculum development and learning and assessment. 

Mr Nakedi allayed transition fears, saying it would be smooth.

Though without partners in training, the brigade revealed a courtship with Morupule Coal Mine and Makoro Bricks for industrial training, a move anticipated to provide trainees with job experience.

The brigade is also in a working relationship with the Central Transport Organisation where trainees help repair  government vehicles.

Established in 1965, the Serowe Brigade has undergone transitions from being a community project before government subsidised it and ultimately took it over in an endevour to improve the quality of education offered to trainees. 

The institution has been accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority and has 31 teaching staff.

Speaking on behalf of his delegation, the director general of education support services, Mr Jean Alcindor talked of youth unemployment dogging his country. 

Mr Alcindor said they sought to improve the quality of technical and vocational education and training to address the predicament they were in.  

He said the priority was to impart skills and knowledge whilst simultaneously molding the youths’ attitude towards life. 

This, he said, would be a consequence of establishing a link between brigades and employers, the private sector and parents. Ends