Kgafela- Mokoka calls for bold overhaul of education system
Pini Bothoko | Monday October 27, 2025 11:57
Speaking before Parliament this week, Kgafela-Mokoka said the education sector must evolve from being ‘a single phase of life’ into a ‘continuous journey’ that equips every citizen for lifelong learning and adaptability in an ever-changing global economy.
“Our mandate is to cultivate excellence across the entire learning spectrum, from early childhood development through primary and secondary schooling, culminating in globally competitive tertiary institutions,” she said.
The minister painted a mixed picture of the education sector’s performance during the National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11) and the Transitional National Development Plan II (TNDP II). She revealed that while Botswana achieved near-universal access to primary education, with net enrolment rates between 96% and 98%, secondary education showed worrying declines, with net enrolment dropping to about 62-67% and a transition rate from junior to senior secondary at only 59.6%.
Even more concerning, Kgafela-Mokoka said, is that only 54% of learners who enter primary school continue to secondary education, something which she described as evidence of deep-rooted retention challenges. The minister further revealed that 75% of junior and 60% of senior secondary school facilities are in a “bad” state, posing risks to both learning and safety.
“Inclusion also remains a major stumbling block as students with disabilities make up only 2% of those reaching higher education, hence the need for specialized infrastructure and resources. Botswana currently has only 16 specialized schools for learners with visual or hearing impairments, and less than 5% of vocational training content is adapted for them,” she said.
Kgafela-Mokoka also raised alarm over inefficiencies in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, which are operating at only 61% of their capacity, far below the national target of 80%.
“This inefficiency contributes to the 38.5% youth unemployment rate among 15 to 24 year olds, a reflection of the disconnect between education output and labour market needs. Additionally, lack of internationally competitive qualifications and alternative training pathways continues to erode our human capital,” she warned. The minister further warned that the country’s tertiary education funding model is unsustainable, as the government spends P2.7 billion annually on tertiary education, but only 16% of that is recoverable through student loans.
“This imbalance places a growing strain on the national budget. I call for a complete redesign of the funding model to make it sustainable and equitable. Moreover, the Education Act of 1967 is outdated and misaligned with the needs of a modern, knowledge-based economy. However, I am pleased to announce that a comprehensive review is underway to modernize the legal framework governing education,” she said.
Meanwhile, in order to meet 21st-century demands, the minister states that Botswana has adopted the General Curriculum and Assessment Framework (GECAF), a reform anchored on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education.
The GECAF, she explained, promotes digitalization, e-learning, coding, robotics, and teacher empowerment across five levels: early childhood, primary, secondary, out-of-school, and special needs education.
She added that under the upcoming National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), the ministry aims to raise national pass rates from 46% (2022) to 71% by 2030, to increase tertiary gross enrolment from 22% to 60% by 2030, to boost the number of BQA-accredited institutions from 33% to 80%, and to reduce youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) from 41% to 22%.
As part of its reform agenda, she revealed that the government will introduce a National Labour Market Information System (LMIS) to bridge the data gap between education and employment.
“The LMIS will track employment trends, support job matching, and guide skills development to ensure that education aligns with industry needs. A data-driven approach will enable us to align our human resource development with the realities of the job market,” Kgafela-Mokoka said.
Kgafela-Mokoka’s presentation underscored a growing consensus that Botswana’s education system is at a crossroads, burdened by ageing infrastructure and outdated policies but poised for transformation through digitalisation and skills-driven learning. However, if implemented effectively, these reforms could redefine Botswana’s learning landscape from classrooms to careers and deliver on the long-promised vision of education for all.