Over 170,000 Botswana students are now studying for the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) developed in conjunction with CIE, compared to the 1999 figure of 130,000 students who took examinations under the previous system.

Puntis was speaking at a CIE-sponsored session entitled 'The Right to Secondary and Higher Education', part of the CCEM Conference. Commenting on Botswana's achievements she said: "We worked hard with the Botswana Ministry of Education to put in place a programme which would significantly improve access to qualifications of the highest standards - by training teachers and examiners to deliver an education which commands national and international respect. We congratulate the Ministry on their achievement in realising this vision - Botswana is now a model for other countries hoping to achieve the same."

he phased introduction of the BGCSE began in 1999 and the number of subjects examined has increased every year since, as has the number of children taking the examination. CIE continues to provide support and assistance to Botswana, primarily in exam processing and administration. This continued involvement has enabled Botswana to benefit from CIE's unrivalled experience in international education, and to benchmark the BGCSE against Cambridge standards, ensuring its global reputation.

"Botswana has all but completed the move from Cambridge O levels and School Certificate to a localised examination which has been modelled on Cambridge IGCSE (the International General Certificate of Secondary Education)," said Gaobakwe, the Acting Chief Education Officer at Examinations, Research and Testing, Botswana Ministry of Education. "The localisation was phased over a number of years with CIE very much involved at each stage of the process. Throughout the process, we have benefited from their unrivalled experience and considerable expertise. They helped develop the syllabuses; they trained the teachers and examiners; and their guidance in establishing and maintaining standards has been invaluable. The result is an examination which better suits the needs of schools and students in Botswana."

Dr Newman Burdett, Head of International Education at CIE added: "Access to education of international renown is crucial for students in Botswana, as it is for all students in Africa. However, it is also vital that a national education system is developed by and for the citizens themselves. Only then will it truly reflect the needs and diversity of the people involved. The Botswana Government's relationship with Cambridge has ensured the qualification has academic rigour and will continue to be recognised around the world as a qualification of real value, and real proof of individual ability." As well as its work in Botswana, CIE is involved in a significant number of other projects across the African continent. In particular, it is also implementing transition projects in Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.