30 Jul 2017

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Botswana and SADC Mr Alexander Baum says his organisation will continue to assist Botswana in development of education sector from grassroots level through long term partnerships and financing.

Speaking at a joint press conference with officials from the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) in Gaborone on Friday, Mr Baum said over the years EU has been consistently assisting the education sector in various forms to be among the best in the region.

He noted that EU’s wish was to see the education system moving away from its current traditional set up of examination -based to skill-based and analytical focus in the 21st century, to make it easier for students to face the corporate world with clear vision of what they want basing on their understanding.  

Mr Baum however regretted that over the years, school examination results have not been impressive partly because of the model used in teaching and the curriculum offered.
He reasoned that more emphasis should be placed on the current reforms pursued by the ministry which are aimed at revamping the education system from grassroots level.

Ambassador Baum confirmed that the EU has disbursed P131 million to the government of Botswana as part of its budget support programme for the on-going reforms in the education sector.

The disbursement also supports actions taken to reduce the risks to the mother’s life associated with pregnancy and childbirth and to increase the survival rate of infants and children under the age of five. Ends