10 Jun 2018

Jwaneng Mine Hospital Superintendent, Dr Mwamba Nsebula says the resolve by government through the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) to invest more on education has placed Southern Africa in a better position to attain her socio-economic development goals and to compete globally.

Giving a keynote address during the south region excellence awards in Kanye on June 8, Dr Nsebula said information and knowledge have become key resources for the economic development of nations.

“Our friends in developed countries have recognised this and are increasingly embracing the creation of knowledge as a way to secure their competitive advantage,” he said.

He said by investing more on education and producing skilled graduates who could thrive in an ever-increasing technology-driven world, Botswana would easily find her feet even after diamonds were gone.He said the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP) would be at the core of this long-term vision to attain a knowledge-based economy away from mineral resources.

The strategic plan seeks to put in place outcome-based curriculum and the need to recognise multiple pathways within the education system whereby students would be given the opportunity to develop along different pathways.

“The plan also aspires to guide education and training systems to produce highly knowledgeable graduates who can fit well into both local and international markets,” he said.

Moreover, Dr Nsebula said there was a need to adapt to the ever-changing educational needs and economies, saying it was clearly articulated by ETSSP.

He commended all recipients of the awards and challenged others to emulate them in future.

South region director, Mr Acro Maseko said the double award ceremony covering 2016/17 and 2017/18 academic years was in recognition of the sterling work and commitment by students, teachers, non-teaching staff and all contributors to the education sector within the region.

“It is a double award in that in 2016 we have not been able to hold any awards due to other constraints of service,” he said.  

Mr Maseko expressed dissatisfaction in as far as schools results at all levels were concerned, particularly junior schools.He said junior schools’ results across region stood at a paltry 32.1 per cent while BGCSE languished at 19.98 per cent this year.

He, however, took solace at the fact that primary school results had taken a significant leap from 63 per cent to 67.3 per cent.

To arrest the situation, the south region director reported that the region had adopted a number of measures among them, Pupil Academic Empowerment Strategy (PAES) to escalate results. ENDS