20 Aug 2026

Government is committed to Vision 2036 and various educational strategies aimed at strengthening Botswana’s technical and vocational education training (TVET) system, the Minister for Higher Education Mr Prince Maele has said. 

Presenting the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Policy to Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Maele said the policy for TVET sector aimed to closely align education with the labour market’s demands and industry needs, and emphasises developing skills that prepared learners not only for existing jobs but also for future opportunities.

The policy seeks to cultivate an innovative, entrepreneurial generation that not only seeks employment but also creates opportunities. 

Minister Maele also said the policy aligned with Vision 2036, which prioritised quality education and vocational skills as key to national progress, and was consistent with the National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), while promoting globally competitive human capital. 

Also, he said the policy aimed to revitalise TVET to develop a productive and adaptable workforce in response to technological advancements and new industries, crucial for economic growth and competitiveness; addressing critical issues such as entrepreneurship, dual qualifications, recognition of prior learning, lifelong learning and sustainable development related to green economies.

 Additionally, Mr Maele said the policy supported the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG4, which advocate inclusive education and lifelong learning, and strived to eliminate gender disparities and enhance access for vulnerable groups. 

Ultimately, he said the policy sought to create a responsive and equitable TVET system alongside traditional academic pathways, open to all based on potential rather than circumstance. Furthermore, Mr Maele said this policy was not just an educational initiative, but served as a tool for economic transformation. He therefore said an implementation plan and monitoring framework were key to translating policy ambitions into measurable outcomes; as success centred on collective commitment, with the private sector recognised as a crucial partner in aligning skills development with economic needs. 

Moreover, Mr Maele said the policy aimed to reposition TVET as a crucial component of education and skills development, integrating academic and vocational pathways. 

He emphasised the importance of sustainable collaboration among government, industry and civil society as essential for success and called on all stakeholders to translate the policy into actionable opportunities. 

Mr Maele said the revitalisation of TVET was framed as a national development imperative, emphasising investment in the workforce and reshaping perceptions of vocational education as a path to competence and innovation. ENDS