BOTEPCO, UNICEF launch teacher digital literacy drive
Kingsley Kuda | Wednesday August 12, 2026 06:00
Last week, the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council (BOTEPCO), in partnership with UNICEF, launched a nationwide campaign to empower educators. The programme aims to strengthen teacher professionalism through digital literacy training, the rollout of professional teaching standards and the implementation of a teacher code of ethics.
BOTEPCO acting director for teacher professional services, Shadrack Botshelo, noted the initiative marks a significant step towards transforming Botswana's education system.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the initiative, he said it was crucial to invest in teachers, describing them as “the foundation of quality education”.
Botshelo also called on the media to help restore the image of the teaching profession, saying public awareness and positive reporting would be key to its success.
UNICEF acting Country Representative, Dr Kimanzi Muthengi, said the partnership aligns with the UN body's commitment to improving children's access to quality education.
He noted that teachers must be equipped with new skills to meet the demands of modern classrooms, where learners increasingly rely on digital technologies and artificial intelligence. For his part, BOTEPCO Registrar Dr Raphael Dingalo said the partnership reflects a shared belief that it is a quality learning passport.
He also highlighted that it strengthens child online safety, while the professional teaching standards and code of ethics will reinforce accountability, professionalism and ethical conduct. 'Quality education begins with quality teachers and emphasised that BOTEPCO's strategy is centred on building strong partnerships capable of improving learning outcomes nationally. Digital Literacy Competency Programme is expected to improve teachers' practical digital skills, increase utilisation of the Learning Passport platform and strengthen child online safety in schools,'he said.
Dingalo added BOTEPCO had identified digital literacy as one of the biggest challenges facing teachers, particularly in using online registration and licensing systems.
He explained the Council will conduct face-to-face training across the country to ensure teachers acquire the necessary digital skills.
The nationwide rollout follows a trial conducted at Gakuto and Kopong. It will run from August 10 to September 18, with two teams travelling across the country to train teachers.
‘One team will focus on digital learning and ICT integration, while the other will concentrate on school leadership, ethics and professional development.’
Muthengi revealed that the first phase is expected to reach about 8,000 teachers, adding that the initiative is not a pilot but the beginning of a phased national rollout.
He said similar teacher council programmes have produced positive results in countries such as South Africa, Zambia and Malawi.
Answering media questions, Dingalo said BOTEPCO's Code of Ethics would provide the framework for regulating professional conduct and sanctioning educators who violate ethical standards, while protecting the interests of learners and the public. He was responding to concerns about teacher misconduct, particularly inappropriate relationships between teachers and learners,