24 Mar 2026

Registration for students seeking admission to senior secondary schools after failing to meet initial cut-off points closed on March 11. Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Ms Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, confirmed the deadline while responding to a parliamentary question on Monday. 

Minister Kgafela-Mokoka explained that the registration process was conducted primarily online through the ministry’s application portal. 

To ensure accessibility, the minister noted that registration services were also made available at Choppies stores, local Kgotla offices and various education centres. 

“Our out-of-school officers are stationed across the country to facilitate the process in areas where connectivity challenges might exist,” she added. She added that the ministry was currently conducting a learner profiling exercise, which would be followed by placement of students. 

Regarding new educational initiatives, Minister Kgafela-Mokoka informed Parliament that the first class of Bula Buka project was scheduled to commence on April 13, targeting learners supplementing their Junior Certificate Examination (JCE).

She said the second phase, focusing on vocational and technical skills, was set to launch on May 4. On one hand, she said unlike the Bula Buka project, which utilised existing structures, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programme had not yet been rolled out to institutions. 

Member of Parliament for Maun West, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, had sought a definitive timeline for the placement of thousands of learners who fell short of the 2025 JCE admission requirements. 

Mr Hikuama also requested for clarification on the procedures for accessing the Bula Buka project and asked whether satellite centres and partner institutions were adequately equipped with STEAM resources and trained personnel. 

The MP further inquired about the ministry’s immediate measures to communicate with affected learners and their guardians to alleviate uncertainty and prevent social exclusion during the transition period. BOPA