10 Dec 2019

Parliament has been informed that the government has no plans to build a Technical College in Khakhea. 

Answering a question in Parliament, Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development Minister, Mr Mpho Balopi said instead a Rapid Skills Development Centre would be built in the area during the next financial year. 

Mr Balopi said government through a Presidential Directive 36/2006 undertook to establish technical colleges in a number of geographical areas which comprised Kgatleng River Villages, Khakhea, Phitshane/Molopo, Boteti, Ngami and Tswapong South. 

However, the minister said as a result of various factors which adversely impacted on the economy around 2008, the intentions of the Presidential Directive 36/2006 could not be implemented because of associated budgetary constraints. He said the aim of the directive, therefore could not be accommodated in either of National Development Plans 10 and 11. 

“Considering, the need to promote vocational training and to develop skills among Batswana (youth in particular) remains imperative,” he said. 

He said through Presidential Directive CAB 10A/2017 the government took a decision to rationalise and optimise outcomes from each of the Madirelo Training and Testing Centre (MTTC), the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and Brigades Institutions, by introducing Rapid Skills Development Centres across the country. 

Mr Balopi said his ministry would evaluate where and when to have the centres.

“Of recent we have opened Rapid Skills Development Centres in Tsau, Chadibe, Thamaga and Moreomaoto and have plans to open in Ncojane, Khakhea, Phitshane/Molopo and Bokspits by the end of the next financial year,” said Mr Balopi.

Mr Balopi was responding to a question from the Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP,  Mr Mephato Reatile who had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on when the technical college would be established as promised by the former President Dr Festus Mogae during the Vision 2016 commemorations in Khakhea. 

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