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Gov’t prioritises vocational training in NDP 12

Larona Makhaiza | Friday November 7, 2025 12:53

Parliament has been told that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a top priority of the current administration as the country looks to promote industrialisation.
 
Parliament has been told that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a top priority of the current administration as the country looks to promote industrialisation.

Higher Education minister, Prince Maele, outlined that this form of learning which equips learners with practical skills, has also been identified as most pressing issue under the government’s ambitious Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP). Presenting the Ministry of Higher Education National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) budget proposal to Parliament this week, he outlined a P8.617 billion development expenditure plan for his ministry. From this spending proposal, TVET will receive the largest allocation of P4.279 billion, representing nearly half of the ministry’s total budget. The funding will support the completion of rapid skills development centres across the country, which will be equipped with modern tools and technologies that match industry standards. “This transformation will empower young Batswana with practical, industry relevant skills thereby supporting national efforts to promote industrialisation and employment creation,” the minister told Parliament. Through TVET, Maele elaborated his aim to produce a skilled and adaptable workforce capable of meeting labour market demands, tackling the rising youth unemployment and aligning education with the needs of the country.

The initiative extends to establishing TVET transformation clusters designed to promote innovation, quality training and stronger linkages between training institutions and industries. Beyond TVET, Higher Education ministry has proposed allocations to strengthen tertiary education infrastructure, enhance university facilities and modernise operations through computerisation. According to Maele, the Tertiary Education Programme will be allocated P3 billion or about 35% of the total budget. “This programme seeks to expand and improve infrastructure at colleges of education, Institute of Health Sciences, Brigades and Technical colleges. “Focus will be on maintenance, expansion, and equipping of these institutions,” he said. During the NDP 12, P1.116 billion which equates to 13% of the total allocation will go towards improving infrastructure at public universities and expanding instructional space public at the same.

The earmarked state-owned institutions are University of Botswana, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Botswana Open University (BOU) and Botswana Accountancy College (BAC). A quarter of Higher Education’s budget will go towards the ministry’s computerisation programme. “Regarding the ministry’s computerisation programme, a total of P141 million about 1.6% of the total allocation is allocated. “This programme aims to modernise and digitalise our operations to improve efficiency and decision making,” he said.