New strategy promises kiss of life for education
Baboki Kayawe | Thursday June 4, 2015 16:04
Education minister Unity Dow said that the ETSSP was born from ‘a comprehensive situational analysis in 2012,’ which diagnosed deficiencies in the entire education sector.
Dow said the study focused on low academic performance at all levels, quality and relevance of education, professional teacher development and education management among others.
This strategy is to be implemented over a five-year period running from 2015 to 2020.
“It’s objective is to provide quality and sustainable lifelong education, which is globally competitive so as to transform Botswana from a resource-based to a skill and knowledge-based society,” she said.
According to Dow, ESTTP was developed between 2012 and 2015 to align it to NDP10, and the emerging educational sector priorities.
“The medium term strategy is designed to comprehensively and fundamentally transform education from pre-primary to tertiary level. Focus and resources will be channelled towards addressing issues of quality and relevance of education, equity, developing a responsive tertiary education system, improving planning and budgeting of the sector as well as utilisation and integration of ICT and improving monitoring and evaluation processes,” she said.
The strategy’s expected outcomes include attainment of universal completion of basic quality education for all, equity of provision and opportunity for all learners, as well as enhanced skills development for the economy.
“This strategy is expected to transform the quality of service delivery in the education sector, to enhance information management for quality decision making as well as enhance educational governance and operational efficiency within the sector,” she said.
When the strategy was first communicated in October 2012, the then education minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi told media that special attention would be paid to five key areas of service support, which are functional and organisational reform, financial and budget management reforms, human resources management and staffing reforms, as well as curriculum and delivery.
Meanwhile, the ministry will host a three-part conference commencing on July 29-31, 2015 at the University of Botswana.
The event comprises an ideas exposition, products and services fair and partners conference, which will collectively be referred to as the ‘IPS&P Conference 2015’.
A communiqué from the MoESD public relations department stated that the expo would target people aged 35 and younger.
At the forum, delegates will present their ideas on how to position and enhance education delivery. Presentations will be made before authorities within the MoESD, as well as teachers, students and other experts in the educational sector.
“The Products and Services Fair will be an opportunity to provide budding and experienced entrepreneurs to showcase creative, innovative and novel products and services aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness within the Ministry of Education and Skills Development,” reads the communication.
The Partners Conference provides a platform for the ministry to present its plans and programmes to stakeholders and receive ideas on methods of collaboration.