17 Jul 2018

Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone has applauded European Union (EU) for being instrumental and supportive to education in Botswana in the past two decades.

Addressing a press conference recently, Minister Arone said EU’s support would strengthen the leadership and management accountability of sector role players for implementation of the education training sector strategic plan.

The overall intention of the implementation developed, he said would help with long term capacity in the ministry for review, priority setting and resource planning.

Thus, he said government was happy that EU ensured that they put education in the forefront in their agenda.

Head of EU delegation to Botswana, Mr Alexander Baum said the project was to support the Botswana government to implement its education sector plan and undertake key system reforms including improvements in public finance management.

Mr Baum said EU was committed to supporting Botswana’s efforts in transforming its education and training system.

Support, he said would increase quality of education and training provided as well as relevance towards labour market needs, thus contributing to greater employment and diversification of the economy.

He further said there was prominent need to move from conceptualisation and development to actual implementation and piloting of all that had been accomplished.

“Quality and relevant vocational education and training can provide people, especially youth with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for the jobs of today or tomorrow,’’ he said.

He stated that better training would help support decent work, more equitable and inclusive growth and be the bridge between education and the labour market supporting the transition from youth into adulthood.

“Therefore, providing pathways into the world of work for young people is one of the greatest development challenges of our era,” he said.

He explained that EU and Botswana government had defined, as a priority for their cooperation, the support to TVTE policy and reforms, providing knowledge, technical capacity and financial support. ENDS