Multiple Pathways To Absorb More Teachers
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday February 25, 2019 13:44
Minister Bagalatia Arone told Parliament that in preparation to implement multiple pathways, his ministry has created 474 positions for Teacher Aides, who have since been appointed.
It is said that a large number of graduate teachers are roaming the streets as there are no positions to absorb them. However, Arone said through multiple pathways they would be able to absorb many teachers.
He stated that the main duty of the Reception Aid is to assist reception teacher to provide safe, caring and stimulating environment that would prepare pupils for formal learning and successive life development stages.
Furthermore, he said, 556 positions were created for reception class teachers, and all have been appointed.
“Of these new appointments, 78 are still to assume duty,” he said.
Arone was responding a question asked by Member of Parliament for Kanye South, Abram Kesupile who wanted the minister to state the volume of teachers who joined the teaching service and their area of specialisation; how curriculum is packaged to enable students to follow suitable programmes and how the different components of multiple pathways would be assessed for the purpose of awarding certificates.
Arone also stated that his ministry is committed to transforming the education system in line with the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP 2015-2020) geared towards improving the quality of education.
“This has necessitated restructuring of the general education curriculum and creating multiple pathways at Senior Secondary level to enable learners to follow programmes of their choice, interest and abilities,” he said. He stated that they are also in the process of packaging curricula at Senior Secondary level into two major pathways, Academic and Vocational and three sub-paths (Vocational, science and humanities and social sciences streams) through the General Education Curriculum and Assessment Framework (GECAF), with each stream consisting of fundamental, core and open elective subjects.
He said that all subjects in the different pathways will be assessed through school based assessment and external assessment.
“The Botswana Examination Council will ensure quality assurance for both assessments. The assessments will cover knowledge, skills and competencies. Assessment for certification will comprise grades accrued from both school based assessment and external assessment,” he added.