31 Mar 2019

Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development has been engaging English medium schools to ensure that localisation is realised in the education sector.

Following the engagements, Minister Tshenolo Mabeo has explained to Parliament that they received 33 training and localisation plans from private schools, and that 12 of those plans had been adopted after they were discussed by school management, employees’ representatives and the ministry.

Mr Mabeo, however said, “as a country, we should ensure that the pursuit of localisation does not adversely affect our efforts aimed at internationalisation of education. As such 100 per cent localisation in the education sector may not be an ideal position,” he said.

He explained that in July 2018, about 21 per cent or 1 420 out of 6 612 teaching staff in English medium schools were non-citizens.

The ministry, he added, engaged the sector, including holding workshops on training and localisation plans (TLP) for management of private schools on March 1 to 2, 2017 in Gaborone and surrounding areas, where 38 schools participated.

He said on March 3, 2017, the ministry engaged 18 schools in Francistown and surroundings, and on June 12, 2017, the ministry also attended the annual meeting of conference of heads of primary and secondary schools to educate members on development of TLPs.

Furthermore, Mr Mabeo noted that follow up meetings were held on August 30, 2017 and October 10, 2017 in Gaborone.

The MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile had asked the minister what action was being taken to localise 75 per cent of posts occupied by foreign teachers in English medium schools. ENDS