03 Dec 2018

 The introduction of Early Childhood Education is a step in the right direction to the attainment of a learned society, says the assistant minister of Basic Education, Mr Thato Kwerepe.

Speaking at the Pre-Primary Sector conference organised by Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) Mr Kwerepe explained that research had shown that pre-school readies the learner to start school as it improved their cognitive development at a young age, thus increasing positive output once the learner enrolled at mainstream.

“My ministry is committed to increasing access to pre-schools and that is evidenced by the growth of a number of schools offering pre-school from just four in 2016 to around 539 in 2018 and creating about 600 employments for teachers in this field,” he added.

The theme: Pre-Primary School: A Backbone to Learning in Attainment of Knowledge Based Economy, he said, was relevant as the country sought to instill knowledge on the citizen as a way of growing the economy because education must be developed from grassroots level.

Thus, he noted, the ministry continues to engage stakeholders in relation to reforms that could improve results, adding that education must run parallel with skills development.

He therefore suggested that vocational training must be taught to learners at an early age to produce citizens who are well equipped and empowered for the benefit of the economy.

He acknowledged challenges such as teachers’ accommodation, promotion of teachers, overstaying but assured that they were working around the clock to ensure that such issues were addressed.

Mr Kwerepe stated that his ministry and trade unions were partners in administration of the pre-primary and primary sectors, adding that while the ministry managed administration, the unions handle working conditions and welfare issues emerging from day to day execution of their duties.

He pledged to operate on an open door policy so that together they do the best in producing good results while taking care of the needs of the teachers as well.

“A happy teacher will be able to lay a foundation of knowledge based economy that will ultimately be the main source of the country’s income,” he said.

Mr Kwerepe revealed that the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan came at the right time to implement the foundation of a knowledge based economy whereupon both Vocational and Technical Education would be infused into the current curriculum. The multiple pathways are meant to nurture a learner’s area of interest and talent. ENDS