Education in Botswana

Last updated
Education in Botswana
Flag of Botswana Flag of Botswana.svg
Flag of Botswana
Minister of Basic Education Fidelis Molao
General details
Primary languages English, Setswana
System typeState, private

Education in Botswana is provided by public schools and private schools. [1] Education in Botswana is governed by the Ministries of Basic Education. and Tertiary, Research Science and Technology [2] Among sub-Saharan African countries, Botswana has one of the highest literacy rates. [3] According to The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency as of 2015, 88.5% of the population age 15 and over can read and write in Botswana were respectively literate. [3]

Contents

The Private schools are generally free to determine their own curriculum and staffing policies, with voluntary accreditation available through independent regional accreditation authorities. About 87% of school-age children attend public schools, about 10% attend private schools while roughly 3% are home-schooled. [4]

Education is compulsory over an age range starting between five and eight and ending somewhere between ages sixteen and eighteen. This requirement can be satisfied in public schools, state-certified private schools, or an approved home school program. [4]

Secondary education in Botswana is neither free nor compulsory. [5] [6] In 2002, the gross primary enrollment rate was 103 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 81 percent. [5] Gross and net enrollment ratios are based on the number of students formally registered in primary school and therefore do not necessarily reflect school attendance. [4] Recent primary school attendance statistics are not available for Botswana. [5] As of 2001, 86 percent of children who started primary school were likely to reach grade 5. [5] In Botswana's education system, girls and boys have equal access to education. Girls are likely to drop out of secondary school due to pregnancy. [5]

There is also a large number and a wide variety of publicly and privately administered institutions of higher learning throughout the country. Post-secondary education, divided into college, as the first tertiary degree, and graduate school, is described in a separate section below. [4]

Botswana made great strides in educational development after independence in 1966. [7] At that time there were very few graduates in the country and very few Batswana attended secondary school. With the discovery of diamonds just after independence and the increase in government revenue that this brought, there was a huge increase in educational provision in the country. All students were guaranteed ten years of basic education, leading to a Junior Certificate qualification. Approximately half of the school population attends a further two years of secondary schooling leading to the award of the Botswana General Certificate of Education. [8] After leaving school, students can attend one of the seven technical colleges in the country, [9] or take vocational training courses in teaching or nursing. The best students enter the University of Botswana, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, The Botswana Accountancy College and Boitekanelo College in Gaborone. A larger influx of tertiary students is expected when construction of the nation's second national university, The Botswana International University of Science and Technology, is completed. Many other students end up in the numerous private tertiary education colleges around the country. A high majority of these students are government sponsored. The quantitative gains have not always been matched by qualitative ones. Primary schools in particular still lack resources, and the teachers are less well paid than their secondary school colleagues. [4] In January 2006, Botswana announced the reintroduction of school fees after two decades of free state education. [6]

Total government expenditure on education as percentage of GDP in Botswana was reported to be 9.633% in 2009, the highest among Sub-Saharan African countries. [10]

Education stages

Preschool

Preschool encompasses non-compulsory classroom-based early-childhood education prior to the age of five to six. Issues of Early Childhood Care and education were incorporated into the Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE) of 1994 [11] .The responsibility to provide early childhood education programs lies largely with the private and civil society sectors rather than with the government.[ citation needed ] The practices of providers of early childhood education are either simply "business opportunity seeking" responses to the new consumption patterns of more affluent parent (or guardian) or current global trends of child education preparation.[ citation needed ] Many community-based programs, commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations, faith communities, and independent childcare providers offer preschool education. [12] Preschool may be general or may have a particular focus, such as arts education, religious education, sports training, or foreign language learning, along with providing general education.The benefit of pre-primary education cannot be over-emphasized because children develop cognitively and socially.[ citation needed ]

Botswana government as of 2015 has started opening early childhood education programs in many governmental primary schools in order to promote the education of young children. [12] This started by opening a half-year pre-school class after the standard 7 students had finished writing their final exams. Their classrooms would be unoccupied for the rest of the academic year, so this way they could accommodate the 5-year-old children. Proceeding that, the government is now implementing a two-year program for children aged 4 and 5 years old. Moreover, the government of Botswana is also paying more attention to early childhood education.

Primary Education

Primary education ranges from reception (pre-standard one) up to standard 7.

Children enrol in primary school around the age of 6. The curriculum in primary education is determined by county school system. The school district selects curriculum guides and textbooks that reflect a state's learning standards and benchmarks for a given grade level. There are two types of primary education accessible in Botswana. The government provides education that is generally referred to as 'Setswana medium', the medium of instruction being Setswana as well as English. The private sector provides education whereby the language of instruction is purely English, these schools are referred to as 'English medium schools'.

Secondary Education

Kgari Sechele Secondary School, a government run secondary school. Kgari sechele secondary school.jpg
Kgari Sechele Secondary School, a government run secondary school.

Secondary education ranges from form 1 up to form 5 (junior secondary: form 1—form 3; senior secondary: form 4—form 5).

Students are usually given more independence, moving to different classrooms for different subjects, and being allowed to choose some of their class subjects (electives). The first three years of secondary education leads to the Junior Certificate, and after two more years of studying students sit for the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Examination.

Higher education

The University of Botswana, Botho University, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Ba Isago University, ABM University College, [13] Botswana International University of Science and Technology, [14] Botswana Open University, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone University College of Law and professional Studies, and Gaborone Institute Of Professional Studies are the institutions that offer university education in the country. The University of Botswana is the national university which was established in 1982 by an act of parliament [15] and is headquartered at Gaborone.

Localization of the curriculum

Soon after independence it was realized that the educational system did not meet the needs of the nation. It was highly focused on academics and still had colonial hangovers. Many of the things taught were not relevant to the African context, thus the school drop-out rates were high. [16] It was soon realized that change was needed.The leaders envisioned an education system that provided access to all and supported social harmony after the realization that the Botswana community was isolated according to different ethnic groups.[ citation needed ] In 1977 a commission appointed by the government of Botswana published a report on educational reform: 'education for kagisano' (meaning 'education for social harmony'). [16] This first National Policy on Education (NPE) of 1977 was a reaction by Botswana leaders to move away from the British colonization model of learning to a more inclusive system when education was for the elite.[ citation needed ] As advised in the report, new core subjects were introduced into schools, making the education more relevant for Botswana. [16] The education aimed to be more vocational in order to prepare students for the job market.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State school</span> Type of school funded in whole or in part by general taxation

A state school or public school is a primary or secondary school that educates all students without charge. Such schools are funded in whole or in part by taxation.

Education in Kenya refers to the education system in Kenya. It is considered a basic right that should be offered to every individual. Education in Kenya predates to as early as the 18th century among the Swahili people. The earliest school was established by missionaries in Rabai. During the colonial era, the number of Kenyans with exposure to education steadily increased and a good number of them were privileged to proceed abroad for further education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Rwanda</span> Overview of education in Rwanda

Education in Rwanda has undergone considerable changes throughout Rwanda's recent history, and has faced major disruptions due to periods of conflict. Education was divided by gender whereby women and men had a different education relevant to their responsibilities in day-to-day life. Women were mostly taught housekeeping while men were mainly taught how to hunt, raise animals, and fish. This is because Rwanda was a community-based society where every member had a specific contribution to the overall development of the community. Older family members like grandparents usually took on the role of educators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Nepal</span> Overview of education in Nepal

Education in Nepal has been modeled on the Indian system, which is in turn the legacy of the old British Raj. The National Examinations Board (NEB) supervises all standardized tests. The Ministry of Education is responsible for managing educational activities in Nepal. The National Center for Educational Development (NCED) is Nepal's teacher-training body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Syria</span> Overview of education in Syria

Education in the Syrian Arab Republic is given the necessary attention and care by the Syrian state, as the Syrian Constitution guarantees the right to education to every citizen, which is compulsory and free at primary level. It is free but not compulsory at the secondary level and higher education is available for a symbolic fee. the primary level includes 3 stages, 1 which include grades 1 to 6, while 2 includes grades 7 to 9,and lastly 3 grades 10 to 12

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Mauritius</span> Overview of education in Mauritius

Education in Mauritius is managed by the Ministry of Education & Human Resources, which controls the development and administration of state schools funded by government, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. The Tertiary education is maintained by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology. The government of Mauritius provides free education to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels. Since July 2005, the government also introduced free transport for all students. Schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. Mauritian students consistently rank top in the world each year for the Cambridge International O Level, International A and AS level examinations. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Mauritius has one of the highest literacy rates. The adult literacy rate was at 91.9% in 2022. According to the 2022 census, the proportion of people with higher education has increased to 8.8%. Mauritius was ranked 57th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023, 1st in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Nigeria</span> Overview of education in Nigeria

Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education. The local authorities take responsibility for implementing state-controlled policy regarding public education and state schools. The education system is divided into Kindergarten, Primary education, Secondary education, and Tertiary education. Nigeria's federal government has been dominated by instability since declaring independence from Britain, and as a result, a unified set of education policies is yet to be successfully implemented. Regional differences in quality, curriculum, and funding characterize the education system in Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria possesses the largest population of out-of-school learning youths in the world. The educational systems in Nigeria are divided into two the public where the student only pays for Parents Teachers Association (PTA) while the private where students pay school fees and some other fees like sports, exam fees, computer fees etc. and they are costly

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Ghana</span> Overview of education in Ghana

Before the arrival of European settlers, who introduced a formal education system addressed to the elites, education in Ghana was mainly informal and based on apprenticeship. Economic activities in pre-colonial Ghana were based on farm produce shared within households and members of each household specialized in providing necessities such as cooking utilities, shelter, clothing, and furniture, and trade with other households was therefore practiced on a very small scale. As such there was no need for employment outside the household that would have otherwise called for disciplines, values, and skills through a formal education system. After colonization, Ghana's economy became a hybrid of subsistence and formal economy.

Education in Tanzania is provided by both the public and private sectors, starting with pre-primary education, followed by primary, secondary ordinary, secondary advanced, and ideally, university level education. Free and accessible education is a human right in Tanzania. The Tanzanian government began to emphasize the importance of education shortly after its independence in 1961. Curriculum is standardized by level, and it is the basis for the national examinations. Achievement levels are important, yet there are various causes of children not receiving the education that they need, including the need to help families with work, poor accessibility, and a variety of learning disabilities. While there is a lack of resources for special needs education, Tanzania has committed to inclusive education and attention on disadvantaged learners, as pointed out in the 2006 Education Sector Review AIDE-MEMORE. The government's National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty in 2005 heavily emphasized on education and literacy.

Education in Lebanon is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE). In Lebanon, the main three languages, English and/or French with Arabic are taught from early years in schools. English or French are the mandatory media of instruction for mathematics and sciences for all schools. Education is compulsory from age 3 to 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Jordan</span> Overview of education in Jordan

The education system of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan includes basic, secondary, and higher education and has dramatically evolved since the establishment of the state in the early 1900s. The role played by a good education system has been significant in the development of Jordan from a predominantly agrarian to an industrialized nation over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Guyana</span> Overview of education in Guyana

Education in Guyana is provided largely by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education and its arms in the ten different regions of the country. Guyana's education system is a legacy from its time as British Guiana, and is similar to that of the other anglophone member states of the Caribbean Community, which are affiliated to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). School curricula, funding, standards and other policies are set by the central government and implemented through the Ministry of Education and related agencies. The Education System is divided into eleven districts, ten of which correspond to the national administrative and geographical regions of the country, while the capital, Georgetown, is treated as a separate education district, district 11. With 8.3% of its GDP spent on education, Guyana sits with Cuba, Iceland, Denmark and Botswana as among the few countries with top spending on education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Western Australia</span> Overview of the education in Western Australia

Education in Western Australia consists of public and private schools in the state of Western Australia, including public and private universities and TAFE colleges. Public school education is supervised by the Department of Education, which forms part of the Government of Western Australia. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority is an independent statutory authority responsible for developing a curriculum and associated standards in all schools, and for ensuring standards of student achievement, and for the assessment and certification according to those standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Zimbabwe</span> Overview of education in Zimbabwe

Education in Zimbabwe under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for primary and secondary education, and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development for higher education. Both are regulated by the Cabinet of Zimbabwe. The education system in Zimbabwe encompasses 13 years of primary and secondary school and runs from January to December. The school year is a total of 40 weeks with three terms and a month break in-between each term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Somalia</span> Overview of education in Somalia

Education in Somalia refers to the academic system within Somalia. The Ministry of Education is officially responsible for education in Somalia, with about 15% of the nation's budget allocated to scholastic instruction. The breakaway republic of Somaliland maintains its own advanced Ministry of Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Kuwait</span> Overview of education in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait, located at the head of the Persian Gulf, supports an educational policy that seeks to provide an opportunity to all children, irrespective of their social class, including children with special needs. Kuwait was ranked 63rd on the Human Development Index report for 2011 by the United Nations Development Programme, placing Kuwait above the regional average.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in the Bahamas</span>

Education in the Bahamas is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. As of 2003, the school attendance rate was 92% and the literacy rate was 95.5%. The government fully operates 158 of the 210 primary and secondary schools in The Bahamas. The other 55 schools are privately operated. Enrollment for state primary and secondary schools is 50,332, with more than 16,000 students attending private schools. Some public schools lack basic educational materials and are overcrowded. The Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) were the ones who acted to create some reform for their weakening education systems. The island has an Education Act that was revised in 1996 and is under control of the Prime Minister. As of 1996, the Education Act states that education is free for children between the ages of 5 and 16. The University of the Bahamas, established in Nassau in 1974, provides programs leading to bachelors and associate degrees. Several non-Bahamian colleges also offer higher education programs in The Bahamas. Generally, the academic year in The Bahamas goes from late August or early September to late May or early June for primary and secondary schools and late April/early May for college.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Namibia</span> Overview of education in Namibia

Education in Namibia is compulsory for 10 years between the ages of 6 and 16. There are approximately 1900 schools in Namibia of which 100 are privately owned. Namibian subjects' syllabi are based on the International General Certificate of Secondary Education which is part of Cambridge International. The Constitution directs the government to provide free primary education; however, families must pay fees for uniforms, stationery, books, hostels, and school improvements. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Namibia has one of the highest literacy rates.

Education in Eswatini includes pre-school, primary, secondary and high schools, for general education and training (GET), and universities and colleges at tertiary level.

Botho University is Botswana's largest private tertiary educational provider, founded in 1997. The college offers certificates, diplomas and graduate degrees in accountancy and computer science. It is the first private tertiary institution in the country to be accredited by the Tertiary Education Council (TEC). All of its programs are also accredited by the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA). It has trained 16,000 graduates, and enrolls 4,000 students, supported by 150 academic staff.

References

  1. ↑ "Botswana Education System". Scholaro . Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  2. ↑ "Ministry of Education". Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Archived from the original on 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2015-09-20.
  3. 1 2 "Literacy - the World Factbook".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Glavin, Chris (2017-01-25). "Education in Botswana". K12 Academics. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Botswana6). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. 1 2 "Botswana brings back school fees". BBC News. 2006-01-11. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  7. ↑ "Education in Botswana". Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality. Archived from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  8. ↑ "Registration of Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education School Candidates" (PDF). Botswana Examination Council.
  9. ↑ UNESCO-UNEVOC country profile
  10. ↑ "Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP) - Sub-Saharan Africa, Botswana". World Bank. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  11. ↑ "Early Childhood Care and Education Policy: Based on the Framework of the Revised National Policy on Education (Rnpe) Government White Paper No. 2 of 1994" (PDF). African Child Forum. 2001. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  12. 1 2 Glavin, Chris (2017-01-25). "Education stages". K12 Academics. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  13. ↑ "Welcome To ABM University College". ABM University College. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  14. ↑ "Botswana International University of Science & Technology". 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  15. ↑ "University of Botswana Act, 1982" (PDF). Laws of Botswana. 1982. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 Glavin, Chris (2017-01-25). "Tswanification of the curriculum". K12 Academics. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.