20 Mar 2018

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Moiseraele Goya has told Parliament that his ministry is not considering the introduction of subject specialization at primary school. 

Responding to a question from MP for Francistown South, Mr Goya highlighted that the ministry had piloted subject specialization at primary level but the subsequent of learners’ performance and evaluation of the pilot in 2013 did not suggest that subject specialization improved learning outcomes. 

He said schools also faced new timetabling challenges and staffing profiles which added stress to the system. MP Wynter Mmolotsi had asked the minister if his ministry was considering specialization at primary schools and what also happened to the pilot project on specialization that was carried out at some primary schools years ago. In response to another parliamentary question from MP Mmolotsi, the Assistant Minister said it was not good that schools were run with limited text books as student’s ability to revise from them was compromised and they might have to rely on their notes for revision. 

Mr Goya said the ministry would continue to procure text books this year, but “we do not have sufficient funds to supply all that is required.”  He also urged parliamentarians to encourage constituents to return school property on completion of their studies. 

Francistown South legislator had asked the minister why schools were running without adequate text books for learners at all levels of secondary education. He also asked the minister how that had affected school results and when enough books would be purchased for all learners at secondary schools. ENDS