04 Aug 2016

Ministry of Education and Skills Development, in partnership with British Council and United States of America Embassy has launched Botswana Association of Teachers of English (BATE).

Giving an overview of BATE at its launch on Wednesday, principal education officer I, in Department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Ms Gofetamang Phirinyane said the association was formed as an intervention strategy to address the consistent decline in the performance in English language and literature in schools starting from primary schools to tertiary institutions.

She said the association registered in December 2015 intended to improve performance in English and acquisition of skills in the Botswana education system.

Ms Phirinyane said the objectives of BATE among others are to improve the practice of English teaching and learning in Botswana and break isolation that the teachers experience both in the classroom and in their institutional settings.    

In his address, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Moiseraele Goya said though English language has been in Botswana since the end of the 19^th century and has been the official language as well as local schools’ medium of instruction they have never taken any concrete steps to recognise and promote it the way they are doing.

“Today many of our school subjects, some of which are comparatively new in our curriculum, have associations, it goes without saying that the establishment of a teachers of  English association is a big step and a clear indication that we are beginning to recognise and take responsibility for the role and status of English in this country,” he said.

He said all subjects offered in the country’s education system, with the exception of Setswana which is the national language are taught and assessed in English and it is therefore important that those tasked with teaching English make concerted efforts to see to it that learners master the language.

Mr Goya said that since the association is registered this gives it the legality it rightly deserves and this will give teachers of English, both practicing and non practicing, in government and private schools an opportunity to meet and share ideas on how best the subject can be taught and learnt effectively and be made more accessible to all learners in Botswana.

“It is my sincere belief and hope that with this association we will see the teachers of English meeting regularly, sharing experiences and new knowledge in the subject as well as organising fairs where learners will be able to interact and compete with each other in English debates quizzes and essay competitions,” he said.

He noted that such interactions between learners and teachers will not only help in improving the declining academic results but also strengthen their profession as teachers of English.

He further noted that as the nation readies itself to celebrate 50 years of independence, educationists must introspect, take stock of their achievements or failures and make amends where necessary. ENDS