Two-tier education system demands action

The Monitor Editor | Wednesday February 4, 2026 09:15

Whilst we join Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and other stakeholders in commending the rise in top grades, a testament to the unwavering effort of many teachers and pupils, this progress is fundamentally shadowed by a failing that shames our society. The stark, persistent urban-rural divide is not just a statistic, but an active betrayal of thousands of young Batswana.

The figures are a damning indictment. When pass rates in regions like Gantsi and Chobe languish around 30%, whilst urban centres thrive, we are witnessing the systematic failure of equitable promise. These 18,000 candidates branded with an E or ungraded are not simply numbers; they are young lives, their futures severely limited, at acute risk of being cast onto the streets. As BOSETU’s Secretary-General Tobokani Rari rightly states elsewhere in the publication, this is “very, very disturbing”.

This chasm did not appear overnight. It is the direct result of a chronic status quo where a child’s postcode determines their educational destiny. Urban schools, often bolstered by middle-income resources, pull ahead.

Meanwhile, rural schools struggle with outdated materials, insufficient infrastructure, and, critically, a debilitating shortage of incentivised, supported teachers. How can we expect excellence from educators battling “deplorable working conditions” without meaningful recognition or reward?

The government’s stated commitment to an educated nation rings hollow whilst this apartheid of opportunity persists. It is not enough to publish results; the state must be held accountable for the inequality they reveal. This must end.

We therefore challenge the government to move beyond rhetoric and enact immediate, tangible change. First, a radical and preferential resource allocation must flow to rural schools, not just buildings, but modern learning technology, science equipment, and books. Second, a comprehensive incentive scheme for teachers serving in remote areas is non-negotiable. This must include significant hardship allowances, accelerated career progression, and quality housing to attract and retain the best talent.

Botswana’s future prosperity depends on harnessing the potential of all its children, not just those born in the right jurisdiction. The 2025 JCE results are a wake-up call we can no longer ignore. The government must act now to dismantle this two-tier system. Our nation’s unity and future depend on it.