PAC warns unaccredited courses threaten economy
Pini Bothoko | Monday July 28, 2025 10:32
As a result, the Parliamentary oversight body warned that the situation could undermine the country’s economy. During their Wednesday session with the Ministry of Higher Education, PAC members pressed the Permanent Secretary, Professor Nelson Torto, on the Ministry’s oversight of tertiary institutions.
The committee lamented that many learners graduate only to discover that their qualifications are not recognised, leaving them unemployable and effectively turning them into 'paupers.'
PAC members, who are also Members of Parliament (MPs), expressed frustration that taxpayers’ money was being wasted on sponsoring students for programmes that have not been accredited.
They described the situation as alarming, noting that it does not only damages individuals' future but also poses a broader economic risk if left unchecked.
MP for Gamalete constituency, Boniface Mabeo said government spends millions of pula each year to sponsor students, only for them to return with certificates that have no value in the job market.
“This is a serious problem that must be addressed urgently. Institutions like DDT College of Medicine and Gaborone University College (GUC) have been offering unaccredited courses for years and their graduates are roaming the streets they can’t find job opportunities because their certificates do not have value,” he said.
“We cannot continue sponsoring students to these institutions. Something should be done as they are affecting the country’s future and economy.”
The PAC members also raised concerns about the qualifications of some lecturers currently employed at institutions of higher learning.
They called on the Ministry to launch a probe into the operations of tertiary institutions, citing widespread malpractice.
Mabeo further revealed that many lecturers in tertiary institutions, brigades and technical colleges are not qualified for the subjects they teach, as their academic qualifications do not align with the courses they are assigned to lecture.
He said this threatens the future of those learners and implored the Ministry to consider taking education issues serious as they will impact badly on the country’s future and even the economy.
“I have learnt that some learners have failed their modules but the government continues to pay for their sponsorship. Are you aware of this? Does this mean these institutions are capable of defrauding the government? Please follow this issue we want what is best for our children, we cannot spend money where there is no value.
“The Ministry must familiarise itself with what is happening on the ground. There are reports that some lecturers are not qualified, and yet they continue to teach. This is unacceptable,” Mabeo retorted.
According to the MP, this growing trend contributes to the production of graduates who are not adequately prepared for the world of work.
He argued that when lecturers lack the proper academic foundation for the subjects they teach, it affects curriculum delivery and diminishes the credibility of institutions.
Other PAC members demanded answers on how such courses were allowed to run without accreditation and called on the Ministry to identify those responsible for the oversight.
They further recommended that sponsorships for unaccredited programmes be suspended immediately and asked whether it was possible to recover funds spent on the courses.
“Is it possible to follow those institutions and recover that money because they have defrauded the government? Those are taxpayers’ funds and should be accounted for, why can’t they be reported to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to investigate the case and recover taxpayers’ money because that’s fraud,” MP for Lobatse, Kamal Jacobs demanded.
For his part, Maun East MP, Goretetse Kekgonegile asked with the Ministry to assess the relevance of academic qualifications in relation to the current job market.
He shared the same sentiments that most graduates are roaming the streets with qualifications that cannot offer them any job opportunities pleading with the ministry to stop offering sponsorship to institutions offering unaccredited courses.
“This country is experiencing a surge in unemployment, particularly amongst graduates.
“We must ensure that students are taught by properly qualified lecturers and that the programmes they pursue will equip them with relevant skills for the job market,” said Kekgonegile .
The concern comes at a time when Botswana is grappling with high youth unemployment, and questions are been raised about the quality and relevance of some qualifications being issued by local tertiary institutions.
The committee urged the Ministry to prioritise quality assurance and ensure that all academic programmes meet the necessary standards before they are approved and funded
Responding to MPs' concerns, Professor Torto assured the committee that the Ministry is taking the matter seriously and would look into the issues raised.
However, PAC maintained that action must be swift and thorough to prevent further damage to the education system and the economy.
He assured the PAC that as sponsorship process for this year is currently ongoing they can be rest assured that the ministry will not sponsor unaccredited courses like it happened in the past.
“I have six months in the office but I can assure you that it will not happen, there is no way we will fund institutions offering unaccredited courses, we have involved all relevant stakeholders on board to make sure that we sponsor strictly accredited courses,” he said.
Torto further admitted that professional bodies are currently not professionally well resourced and they would like to have a place where they can train their trainers so that they can have qualified personnel.
“We are looking at revamping TVET because we also agree that they can save the country’s economy and provide jobs since diamonds which the country has been relying on for decades are no longer doing well,” he said.
He admitted to have established the gaps that PAC members raised and promised that they are working tirelessly to close those them.