28 Oct 2020

 The education sector has been challenged to embrace e-education given its potential to transform Botswana into a knowledge-based economy.

 Launching the national e-education policy in Gaborone on Tuesday, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said through e-education, the country would build a resilient economy that would help it to be on the same level as the international community.

 In addition, e-education would enable the country to deliver its global aspirations and participate in the global village, he said.

Dr Letsholathebe said with the advent of the 4th industrial revolution,  the country’s education system should be informed by e-education which would help with research at all levels.

Embracing e-learning, he explained, entailed an environment where learners would among other things use computers and cellphones in distance and remote learning.

Dr Letsholathebe said e-education meant shifting from teacher-centred deliveries to electronic means.

The system would significantly change the education landscape which would, in turn, improve delivery, he said.

The minister said it would also cut costs of materials such as textbooks while delivering a sustainable education system and promoting lifelong learning.

He thus called upon all stakeholders to be proactive in ensuring that the e-education dialogue achieved positive outcomes. 

Mr Letsholathebe said with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important for the country to take precautionary measures to mitigate against possible disruptions to the education system.

“The pandemic caught us off guard and showed that we have limited and inadequate ICT infrastructure at all levels in the education system,” he said.

Mr Letsholathebe said there was no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the education system hence the need to shift focus from the traditional way of doing things and embrace online learning.

 

Other speakers concurred with the minister on the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve intended results. ENDS