14 Jun 2020

Non-completing classes that were expected to re-open tomorrow,   will remain closed until further notice, says Minister of Basic Education, Mr Fidelis Molao.

Mr Molao said on Saturday that this followed an announcement made by the COVID-19 Presidential Task Team on Friday night that greater Gaborone zone had been place on lockdown.

Mr Molao said schools in greater Gaborone zone, both public and private, would remain closed for both completing and non-completing classes.

He said for schools in other zones, completing classes would remain in operation while those non-completing would continuing staying at home.

Minister Molao said all was set for re-opening of the remaining classes, but the new COVID-19 cases had forced the ministry to suspend re-opening throughout the country.

He commended teachers, support staff as well as parents and teachers associations for a sterling job during preparations of the re-opening of the schools by ensuring that all that was needed for adherence was met.

Mr Molao said his ministry could not have achieved all that was supposed to be done if it was not for the support of other stakeholders.

He said boarding pupils in schools in the greater Gaborone zone would remain in hostels and school authorities should ensure that they were well taken care of.

Mr Molao said re-opening of the pre-primary classes at public schools would be on August 4 and any changes would be communicated

Regarding the over loading of pupils with materials, the acting director of curriculum in the ministry, Mr Shadreck Majwabe said they had competent teachers who were well trained on what to offer.

He said Botswana, like other countries, followed international standards on how the curriculum should be followed in different situations.

Mr Majwabe said the ministry had reduced the time of each lesson from 40 minutes to 30 to enable teachers to achieve the stipulated eight hours. ENDS