09 Nov 2026

The government has launched the Bula Buka project to improve access to education for youth who are out of school due to limited school spaces and unsatisfactory academic performance.

President Advocate Duma Boko said this during the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on November 9, where he stated that the three-year initiative aimed at empowering out-of-school youth through education, skills training and character building.

He added that a total of 197 teachers had been employed and 568 learners were registered for the 2026 academic year.

Additionally, President Boko said the government launched the Duma Boko School, located in Gaborone, in September, marking progress toward the establishment of 100 schools and clinics throughout Botswana.

“This project pioneers a new model of social infrastructure delivery, combining private investment, modern construction technology, local manufacturing and government facilitation to accelerate access to essential public services,” he said.

He said the school was equipped with technology-enabled classrooms, amenities for special educational needs, a swimming pool and the capacity to accommodate over 380 learners; and was already welcoming its first cohort of learners.

Central to the initiative, President Boko said was Afriforge; a manufacturing facility under development in Gabane that would produce pre-fabricated components for educational and healthcare infrastructure.

He said the model would use around 73 per cent locally-sourced materials with the aim to minimise construction durations, generate employment, enhance skills and foster domestic manufacturing. ENDS