18 Feb 2020

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja has told Parliament that currently there were 72 private primary schools and 44 private secondary schools registered and operating in Botswana.

She said there were 4 853 teachers and support staff who were employed in the schools, out of which 3 355 were citizens, representing localisation rate at 69 per cent.

Ms Makwinja explained that the management of the schools remained dominated by non-citizens, 119 non-citizens compared to 55 who were citizens, and that private schools were operating like any other business with a view to ensuring good to excellent educational performance results hence their aim to recruit best teachers at affordable and sustainable rates.

Ngami MP, Mr Kainangura Hikuama had asked the minister to update Parliament on the total number of private schools (primary and secondary) operating in Botswana, including the number of teachers and support staff employed on a formal basis in private schools including the number of locals or citizens managing the schools.

He also wanted to know if the minister was satisfied with the localisation process in the schools as far as employment was concerned.ENDS