16 Jul 2020

As part of government’s objective to accelerate economic growth and transformation,  the Special Economic Committee of Cabinet will engage on transformative strategic thrusts and initiatives to improve the lives of Batswana.

This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his address to the special committee yesterday.

Also on the committee’s agenda was the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP), which Dr Masisi said was aimed  at facilitating and resuscitating economic activity in Botswana negatively affected by COVID-19.

ERTP would complement government’s short term economic relief measures that were currently being implemented, he said.

As a result of the negative impact of the pandemic on the national development agenda, Dr Masisi said government had to divert national funds towards the fight against the spread and transmission of the virus.

In addition, citizen-owned businesses had to be cushioned through the provision of wage subsidies, he noted.

President Masisi said despite the negative impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic status, Dr Masisi said opportunities emerged amid challenges.

Therefore, he said, there was need to harness and leverage on such opportunities to re-build the economy of the country.

He said there was need to grow and diversify the economy especially now in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.

The President said it was the expectation of the nation for government to provide innovative solutions to deliver on job creation, fight crime and corruption as well as tackling HIV/AIDS and other social-ills affecting the country.

According to President Masisi, also to be considered by the special committee were  policies on General Education Curriculum and Assessment Framework (GECAF) and the draft National Policy on Assessment for General Education.

Dr Masisi said the policies were geared towards transforming the education system by developing a globally competitive knowledge learner of the 21st century.

He said the draft policy was designed to guide assessment in an outcome-based education environment that was prescribed by GECAF.

Meanwhile President Masisi has expressed gratitude to all for their unwavering commitment in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Observing health protocols had contributed greatly in controlling the spread of the virus in Botswana, he said. ENDS