05 Mar 2014

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has commended efforts made by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development in addressing challenges facing the education system in the country.

Debating the 2014/2015 budget estimates for the ministry, Dr Kedikilwe said the ministry had made remarkable strides in the implementation of recommendations made by the Revised National Policy on Education, as such addressing some of the challenges facing the education system.

Dr Kedikilwe, who is also Leader of the House, said the establishment of the Standing National Council on Education was a commendable effort made by the ministry.

He said the council will act as the driver of education and will monitor the quality of education as well as advise government on education issues on a continuous basis. He said the council should continuously be looking at the curriculum and education issues.

He further said issues of early childhood education, facilities, backlog eradication, teacher/student ratio, assessed progression as opposed to automatic progression were expounded in the Revised Policy on Education report.

The Vice President further said these issues were undertaken by the ministry, adding “I believe the ministry of education is in many ways handling these.”

Early childhood education as recommended by the education policy, he said, was already piloted in 14 schools. The report, he said, also touched on the recognition of teachers and active participation of parents in the education system through parents teachers associations, which he said were in place.

He also commended the establishment of the special education unit at the ministry adding that it was the move in the right direction. He also noted that issues of legislation should be revised from time to time.

He said the Ministry of Education and Skills Development was already implementing some of the recommendations.

For her part MP for Francistown West, Dr Habaudi Hubona commended Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi for funds allocated for the construction of a junior secondary school at Gerald Estate. She said students who resided in that area walked about nine kilometres to the nearest junior secondary school.

However, she attributed poor performance of schools in her area to HIV/AIDS, saying that there was need for a marshal plan to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on students’ performance.

She said some students who had moral challenges were raised by their grandparents after losing their parents to HIV/AIDS.

To address the problem, she said, there was need for residential psychologists as well as social workers in various communities and schools to help address the problem.

MP for Ngwaketse South, Mr Peter Siele said funds allocated the ministry were insufficient to bring about good results, adding that active participation of MPs, parents, teachers and other stakeholders was critical in bringing about good results.

He said MPs should take the lead in ensuring that students and teachers are motivated. MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile requested for a second senior secondary school at Kanye.

He also stated that students should be admitted in junior schools in their locality to enable parents to participate actively in their children’s education. For his part, MP for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao acknowledged efforts made by the ministry in improving the education system.

He said issues such as shortage of accommodation, level of operation, transfers and training should be addressed.

He said he was adamant that the budget allocated the ministry of education would address these issues. MP for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said he was optimistic that the ministry understood problems affecting the education system and will therefore address them.

Mr Molao commended the minister for addressing the issue of levels of operation. He raised concern over increasing tuition fees and the quality of education at some private tertiary institutions saying that some are not even accredited.

He also called for the involvement of stakeholders such as publishers in curriculum development. ENDS