14 Aug 2017

 Ministry of Basic Education and France Embassy in Botswana are committed to improve and strengthen the teaching of French in government schools, says Minister of Basic Education, Dr Unity Dow.

Speaking at the French teacher’s workshop closing ceremony, Dr Dow said her ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French government in 2008, which had one of its key elements as strengthening the teaching of French language.

The memorandum, she said, was re-visited and resigned in 2015 to further establish ways to improve the teaching of French in government schools.

 She said some of the key components in strengthening the use of French language in schools was for the two countries to stay involved and committed to the relations and engage in more exchangeable programmes be it teaching materials and scholars.

She encouraged French teachers to produce and publish more French readable materials that could be of use to French learners in order to enrich the use of the language outside learning centres.

 The French Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Pierre Voilery applauded the relations between Botswana and France, saying they would go a long way in improving the teaching of French in schools. He said as a demonstration towards his country’s commitment in improving the learning of French in schools, his government has donated five thousand euros to be used in the procurement of French teaching materials.

He added that his country would also attach to the ministry a French teaching expert for a nine-months period to contribute towards improving the teaching of the French language in schools.

He added that his embassy had also extended the learning of French to the Botswana Defence Force.

For her part, French Teachers Association Botswana (FTAB) spokesperson, Ms Rodah Nthapelelang commended the two governments of Botswana and France for their commitment and investment towards improving the teaching and learning of French in the country.

She said French teachers needed to be commended for adding value in the country through moulding the citizenry into world class competitors.

She pleaded with the relevant stakeholders to come on board in availing resourceful materials that enhanced the teaching of French language. ENDS