02 Dec 2013

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development says sustainability and monitoring are key to making a success of the joint master’s degree programme between Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Sweden.

Speaking at the programmes’ project evaluation workshop in Gaborone, Ms Grace Muzila said for the join master’s programme to work, there had to be integration between the concerned parties.

“When you integrate there is likely to be sustainability. Let us make sure that with or without funding from the Swedish, these projects should be maintained because we all can see that they will add a great deal of value to our education system,” she said.

She further said where there was effective education, peace would follow and eventually development. Ms Muzila said even though only three African countries were partaking in this project, participants should not despair.

“We can change the world just the three of us. Participation, democracy and inclusiveness are key to our success,” said Ms Muzila.She went on to laud the partnership between the three African countries and called on them to continue partnering in other projects.

For his part, Mr Jude Tah, a lecturer from Stockholm University said the objective of the programme is to train teachers to have competent skills in dealing with different learners. “Are teachers competent enough to be taking care of classes they are tasked with,” he quizzed.

He indicated that the programme will look to equip teachers with the right competences for them to function in their respective education systems. “The programme will also include an inclusive education policy that aims to enhance access of all learners to quality education,” he said.

He further said teachers are a critical component of the education system and they are the ones that will drive the inclusion that the policy aims to achieve.ENDS