Venson-Moitoi resurfaces
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday April 7, 2014 11:07
Venson-Moitoi’s appearing and disappearing acts come in a week of endless debates regarding her true ministerial status with many media outlets convinced she has been fired.
But on Friday, the ministry issued a statement declaring Venson-Moitoi the Minister of Education and Skills Development, not with standing the fact that Mokgweetsi Masisi has been appointed the acting minister. Masisi’s acting capacity had been announced on Tuesday, together with that of Shaw Kgathi acting in the Office of the President and Vincent Seretse stepping in for the latter. The permanent secretary in the Office of the President (PSP), Eric Molale, made the announcement through a press release.
On Friday, following days of what Venson-Moitoi is and is not; Parliament even stepping in to the debate, the Botswana Congress Party instituting legal opinions, and President Ian Khama denying firing her, the ministry added to the confusion. The statement signed by Silas Sehularo for the permanent secretary announced that the Education Minister would officiate at the launch of the Thuto-Net Governance Structure tomorrow (April 8), at the Fairgrounds.
The one stated and officiating as the minister is Venson-Moitoi, not Masisi. He is not even mentioned in the press release.
Venson-Moitoi’s Thuto-Net aims to provide schools and libraries with modern computers and high-speed Internet access, as well as utilise e-learning to advance the use of communication technologies to design, deliver and extend learning.
It also aims to design and implement an ICT content and curriculum development programme for primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary institutions.
According to the ministry, Venson-Moitoi saw the need to set up committees comprising of the different stakeholders across ministries to drive Thuto-Net objectives and support the establishment of facilities to enhance technology provision across the educational institutions.
At tomorrow’s event, Venson-Moitoi will be launching the Thuto-Net structure and its committees, which will also be given their project definition.