18 Feb 2018

Jwaneng Technical College, a vocational education training institution that was established in 1987 and started operating in 1988 with an intake of 150 is fully registered with and accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA).

Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao said the institution offered six programmes and BQA-accredited courses.

The programmes include certificate in accounting and business studies, national certificate in secretarial studies, bricklaying and plastering, carpentry and joinery, electrical and painting and decoration, he added.

Mr Molao said the institution was currently not able to offer programmes such as auto mechanics, maintenance fitting or fitter machinists, welding and fabrication and plumbing and pipe fitting as they were not accredited.

He said the programmes were not accredited because the machinery that was required for the programmes was obsolete and needed to be replaced.

“The total estimates for the replacement of the obsolete machinery and upgrading the network systems stands at P3.7 million. The replacement of the obsolete machinery will be prioritised this coming financial year,” he stated.

The assistant minister said when fully operational, the institution could enroll 500 learners, but that currently it had enrolled 104 learners as a result of some programmes being unaccredited.

Mr Molao explained that in terms of staffing the college had an establishment of 110 staff members, but that currently there were 102 staff in post and eight vacancies.

He said one of the vacant positions was that of principal, which he said was vacated by the then principal in September 2017.

He noted that the recruitment for all vacant posts was ongoing.

Regarding staff welfare, Mr Molao said there were 72 staff houses at the institution, stating that accommodation had been provided for 70 per cent of the staff.

The MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on the status of Jwaneng Technical College. Ends