21 Apr 2026

The Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) has lifted all suspensions and fully reopened registration and accreditation services for Consultancy and Workplace Education and Training Providers (ETPs), Minister of Higher Education, Mr Prince Maele, has assured Parliament. 

Responding to a parliamentary question from Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, MP for Maun West, last Friday, Minister Maele confirmed that both categories were now operating without any restrictions. 

The minister explained that the BQA began registering Workplace and Consultancy ETPs in 2017, in line with the BQA Act No. 24 of 2013. 

In July 2021, he said the Authority suspended the services for five months to clear a backlog of applications and review its quality assurance processes. 

“The suspension was later extended until December 2022 as the BQA assessed the relevance of such services to its mandate,” he said. He added that in December 2022, the BQA board resolved to resume registration while continuing stakeholder consultations, including with the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC). “The suspension was officially lifted in February 2023. 

However, a fresh suspension was imposed later that same month to allow for the possible transfer of consultancy services to the HRDC. The consultancy suspension was lifted again on May 10, 2023, although the simultaneous lifting for workplace ETPs was inadvertently omitted from the public notice,” Mr Maele noted. Notably, he said the services faced further temporary closures during the BQA’s December 2024 annual shutdown.

 “While other portals reopened in January 2025, the consultancy and workplace portals remained closed. On February 27, 2025, the Authority announced that consultancy applications would reopen on June 12, 2025.

 The workplace portal was separately reopened in March 2025 following a Board resolution,” he added. Again, he said as of April 2026, the BQA had received 164 consultancy ETP applications and nine workplace ETP applications and both registration portals remained open.

 Mr Maele highlighted ongoing stakeholder engagement, including consultative meetings with registered consultancies held on July 18, 2025 with 54 participants and 69 on March 26, 2026. 

He said the sessions addressed public concerns and focused on capacity building, particularly compliance with the Annual Reporting Policy, adding that further, consultations were planned under the BQA’s 2026/2027 stakeholder engagement strategy.

 “I wish to assure this House that both consultancy and workplace ETPs are now fully operational. The ministry continues to closely monitor performance to ensure that services are delivered effectively and in a timely manner,” said Mr Maele.

 The minister further told Parliament that BQA had introduced several measures to improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times and strengthen regulatory processes, with the ultimate goal of protecting the integrity of the National Qualifications Framework. 

Mr Maele pledged continued transparency and assured Parliament that the ministry would provide regular updates on any further developments. 

MP Hikuama had asked the minister to enlighten Parliament on the suspension of Registration and Accreditation of Workplace and Consultancy Education and Training Providers. ENDS