01 Dec 2019

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse says the education system needs revamping if the ideals of transforming to a knowledge based economy are to be realised.  

Speaking at the Regent Hill School prize giving ceremony in Molepolole recently, Mr Autlwetse said the Education and Training Sector Strategy Plan (ETSSP) should be fully implemented to balance between academic pursuit and technical and vocational education. 

The Assistant Minister said however, the introduction of pre-school was the foundation for the attainment of a knowledge based economy. 

He said 78.1 per cent of primary schools across the country offered Early Childhood Education (ECE), adding by 2020, all primary schools should offer reception classes. 

Beginning January next year, Maun secondary school and Moeng College will offer special education, with Maun secondary school offering tourism and hospitality, while Moeng College will be the hub for agriculture, including horticulture. 

“Students will therefore pursue subjects of their interest and capability through this Outcome Based Education programme at senior secondary school level,” he said. 

Mr Autlwetse said government was in the process of developing a language policy in readiness for the introduction of other languages in schools. 

Furthermore, he said class sizes were to be reduced to 30 pupils and the government has committed itself to overhaul and modernise curriculum as well as revitalise continuous in-service training for teachers. 

He however, said for all to be realised, the government needed all stakeholders, teachers, private sector and parents to work as a team. 

“Let us all acquaint ourselves with the government’s transformation agenda so that we build a new Botswana for all,” he said. 

The assistant minister said the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model remained at the core of transforming the education system to a point where the government was ready to conditionally lease out institutional campuses based on relevance of proposals. 

He paid tribute to Walk of Hope, a Non-Government Organisation, which through the Adopt-A-School initiative, had assisted 13 schools. 

“I therefore encourage the private schools to also raise their hand to be counted in corporate social responsibility as government alone cannot transform our communities,” he said. 

Mr Autlwetse congratulated Regent Hill management, for establishing three additional campuses in Gaborone, Metsimotlhabe and Tlokweng. 

He also acknowledged the parents for ensuring they offer their children the best education, stretching their limited resources and encouraged the students to continue with their pursuit of academic excellence. 

The prize giving ceremony was held under the theme: Educational Success Through Collective Effort. 

For his part, Regent Hill Director Mr Niaz Johnson called on the learners to pursue their dream saying they had unlimited opportunities. Ends