SONA failed to address critical education issues- BOSETU
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday November 17, 2025 06:00
When responding to the SONA, BOSETU general secretary, Tobokani Rari, said that while they appreciate the President's reaffirmed commitment to treat education as a human right under his administration, his speech omitted to touch on two critical issues bedeviling the education sector.
'One of the most pressing challenges in Botswana’s education system — the high student-to-teacher ratio — was not addressed in the SONA. In many schools, teachers are managing classrooms of 50 or more students, which compromises the quality of teaching and learning. This growing imbalance between teacher numbers and student numbers Enrolment undermines educational quality and must be treated as a matter of national priority,' Rari said.
Rari said BOSETU is equally concerned about the increasing workload of teachers, both in terms of the number of lessons and the number of classes each teacher is required to handle. This situation, he said, directly affects teaching quality, teacher morale, and learner outcomes.
'The President did not acknowledge or propose any strategies to address this long-standing issue, and we call on the Ministry to urgently review workload policies to align with international best practices,' he added.
While BOSETU acknowledges the introduction of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) as a step towards modernising the education system, the union says it is concerned that a sole focus on STEAM will not holistically transform the sector.
'We had anticipated a broader reform towards a multiple pathways education system, where learners are guided and developed according to their unique abilities, interests, and potential. Such a system would involve the creation of specialised hubs or schools of excellence in areas such as Vocational and Technical Skills, Sports and Culture, Science and Engineering, and Arts and Performance,' he noted.
BOSETU is of the view that this approach would ensure inclusivity and promote diverse forms of talent development across the education landscape.
Additionally, Rari said they are also concerned about the implementation timeline of the new STEAM curriculum, which the President indicated will commence in January 2026. Rari said this is barely a month away, yet teachers have not been capacitated on the new curriculum content, the methodologies for delivering it, or the modes of assessment.
'We fear that without adequate preparation and training, this reform may face the same implementation challenges that have hindered previous education initiatives under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development,' he said.
On the one hand, BOSETU has also urged the government to go further and enshrine education as a second-generation right in the Constitution when it is next amended. BOSETU said education remains the most powerful equaliser in society and the single tool that can transform individuals, regardless of their economic background, into productive and empowered citizens.
'We also note with appreciation the President’s commitment to transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and positioning it as a key anchor for economic transformation and job creation. While this is an encouraging development that resonates with our long-held position, we hope the responsible Ministry will provide clear details and implementation strategies to ensure that this transformation is both practical and sustainable,' Rari said.
Furthermore, Rari said BOSETU welcomes some of the government’s stated priorities in the education sector as articulated in the SONA, namely teacher empowerment, refurbishment of school infrastructure, digitalisation of education, and construction of teacher accommodation.
'These are commendable steps that, if implemented effectively, can contribute significantly to improving the teaching and learning environment in Botswana,' he added.
BOSETU has also called on the government to prioritise expanding existing schools. Over 80% of schools have student populations that far exceed available infrastructure, human, and financial resources. Rari said the shortage of infrastructure has led to overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers, and in some cases, students being taught under trees.
While BOSETU welcomes digitalisation of classrooms, it is concerned that the initiative cannot succeed without reliable internet connectivity across all schools. Rari said currently, most schools lack proper connectivity, indicating that the previous government initiative through Smart Boards has largely failed, with over 95% of the devices now non-functional.
'We note with concern that the President’s address did not address the critical issue of connectivity infrastructure, which is essential to support meaningful digital transformation in education,' he said.
Meanwhile, the union said it also welcomed the announcement that school sports will resume, as they play an integral role in learners’ physical, social, and emotional development. However, it raised concerns that no consultation had taken place with teacher trade unions regarding the roles of teachers in facilitating school sports, and how sports activities would be integrated into the school timetable.