25 Feb 2014

Selebi Phikwe councillors have given thumbs up to the new education format or blue print set up by the Curriculum Development and Education (CDE) section in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

The format is expected to be implemented between 2015 and 2016 in secondary schools. When presenting the new education format before the ongoing Selebi Phikwe Town Council full council meeting, the principal education officer, Mrs Phirinyane Gofetamang, said the new education system was expected to cover a broad area in the theoretical and practical learning environment.

She said subjects had been streamlined to allow students to have greater option on what to pursue, which would be in line with the career they wanted to pursue. For  example, she said  schools currently offered Design and Technology (D&T) as one package.

Under the new format, the discipline would be subdivided into three subjects being D&T-Systems and Control, D&T- Graphics and D&T- resistant material.

“Another example is in Agriculture where the discipline has been subdivided into three subjects which include Agricultural Science, Animal Husbandry, and Crop Production. This will give students an option to choose one subject under each discipline and focus or specialise ,” she said.

She mentioned that the whole idea behind the setting up of the new education format was to transform and upgrade the education  level in  the country to that of countries  in the international community such as Singapore, United Kingdom and Mauritius to name a few.

Further, the move was meant to compliment the Human Resource Development Council mandate that was focused on having a broad skilled and diverse human capital in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Seabe Raditladi also the Principal Education Officer under the same department said his organization has held stakeholder consultative forums on the new education format.

He also noted they have made written submissions and made presentations to Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BUIST), Botswana National Productivity Center (BNPC), Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) on the new education blue print and have received acknowledgements.

“Our organisation’s philosophy in setting up the new education format was grounded on economic, social and environmental principles. Also we looked at our country’s democracy, inclusive education as well as the country’s Human Resource Development Strategy to guide us in setting up the blue print. This format will promote equity and equality of opportunities for all, as well as provide a broad skill base that will meet the skills demand in all sectors of the economy” he said.

Meanwhile, councilors for Botshabelo West and Botshabelo North, Mr Khosi Mashaba and Mr Bathaedi Mponwane commended CDE for coming up with the new education format.

They noted that the system is long overdue and must be implemented sooner than later to avoid being left behind in the ever changing and developing  world of technology.

Councilor for Bontleng Mr Tshiamo Ikeaneng indicated that the format will produce skilled labour needed in the market. Councilor for Botshabelo Central Mr Molefhe Molatlhegi acknowledged the fact that sign language will also be availed as subject. ENDS