27 Mar 2018

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Moesiraele Goya says the ministry does not supervise or provide oversight over pre-primary schools, as this responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. 

He said the ministry in terms of the Education Act CAP 58:01 section 14:1 ensures that all private schools comply with standards prior to their registration and licensing and that all teachers are qualified and vetted prior to teaching. 

He explained that the ministry visits proposed sites for private schools and checks facilities and is empowered to close institutions operating outside of the law and those which fail to comply with set standards. 

Mr Goya said the ministry also monitors the operation of the private schools and conducts occasional school inspections in such institutions to ensure compliance with standards. 

Answering a question in Parliament, Minister Goya noted that Botswana Examination Council (BEC) also visits and registers them to conduct examinations according to the provisions of the BEC Act 2002. 

Member of Parliament for Mahalapye West, Mr Joseph Molefe, had asked the minister of Basic Education to state how her ministry supervises private pre-schools and private primary, junior and senior secondary schools respectively. ENDS