MoESD urged to pull up socks
Ministry urged to improve implementation, monitoring Commission recommends independent inspectorate Corporal punishment advocated
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution of Botswana has urged the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to up its game. It is of the view that most proposals made on education just need the ministry to do better.
“The Commission recommends that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) should improve implementation and monitoring of education policies and programmes for improved academic performance in schools and promotion of technical and vocational education,” reads the report from the Commission.
The Commission also recommends that the MoESD should establish an independent inspectorate for schools on quality assurance and monitoring of performance in schools. “The Commission further recommends that multiple pathways in education should be introduced at primary school level for early identification and development of talent, based on learner strengths and capabilities.
The Commission further recommends that automatic promotion should not apply to non-performing pupils at primary school level and instead pupils should be allowed to repeat classes. The Commission recommends that corporal punishment be reintroduced in schools,” the Commission stated. Submissions were made in favour of grade-retention or non-promotion for learners who do not achieve set requirements, arguing that the current system of automatic promotion has reinforced failure rate in schools.
“Opinions were expressed at the Botswana Education system at utilising talents and gifts of students and promote vocational training. There was support for introduction of a multiple pathways education at primary school level, this they said, will enable learners to acquire life skills and experience for survival and contribution to the economy once they completed schooling. The need to introduce preschools at all primary schools and strengthen skills development and vocational training was emphasised,” reads the report.
It further stated that there were also opinions that favoured integration of the mother tongue in the education system to enhance the learning of children who speak languages other than Setswana. Submissions were also made in favour of grade-retention or non-promotion for learners who do not achieve set requirements, arguing that the current system of automatic promotion has reinforced failure rate at schools.
According to the Commission, it was also proposed that there should be inspectors in schools to observe teachers and provide guidance on all matters related to the teaching. Views were expressed that compulsory education should be enforced and that all children should attend school from an age to be specified. With the view to promote education amongst adults, some presenters encouraged government to resuscitate ‘Thuto ga e golelwe’ programme.
“It was proposed that classes be limited to not more than 30 pupils per classroom to promote teacher-learner interaction and that schools should be closed during winter. It was also proposed that all schools across the country should be adequately resourced. There were further proposals for regular training of teachers to improve their proficiency, especially with regard to Information and Communication Technology.
Views were expressed for the review of the education system in Botswana, to include amongst others, multiple pathways and introduction of preschool at all primary schools. Proposals were that universities should be established across the country and that government should introduce education inspection function. “The Commission notes the submission, and is of the view that existing education policies already provide for the proposals, and that special education is offered in some schools across the country,” reads the report.