Kelebone Skelemani, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry of labour and home affairs, said that the policy has not been reviewed every three years, as originally planned, because the bids from tenders were high and the government could not afford it.
“We consider this review necessary and very important as it is a demonstration of commitment by government on issues that affect young people,” said Skelemani.
She said that the policy is important to anyone who has the interest of the youth at heart. She also suggested that the youth themselves should be involved in the review process.
The National Youth Policy is a framework for youth development in Botswana, which endeavours to ensure that young people are given every opportunity to reach their full potential both as individuals and as active citizens of Botswana.
Skelemani said that the need for a review has been heightened by the emergence of development issues at such a high pace, which resulted in an urgent need to embrace current development issues such as environment, information and communication technology, as well as other global issues.
The policy review will be monitored by a reference group constituted by the permanent secretary in the ministry of labour and home affairs. There will be two consultative regional workshops in the southern and northern parts of the country, in Ghanzi and Francistown respectively. There will also be another consultative workshop in Gaborone. The consultations will include youth sectors, parents, traditional leaders, government departments, as well as other partners from the NGO movement. Skelemani said that they are also working closely with the Botswana National Youth Council.
