PSLE exam subjects to be shredded to four

Baboki Kayawe | Tuesday June 13, 2017 17:16

The announcement was made recently at the just-ended education pitso that was held in Maun. The decision, which is yet to be finalised will see only Mathematics, English, Science and Setswana being examined for PSLE. Agriculture, Social Studies and Religious and Moral Education are falling out.

The three subjects however will be taught in primary schools, and be examinable only until Standard 7 term two examinations.  A primary school teacher who preferred anonymity said as a country that wants to strengthen food security, Agriculture should not have been left out in order to grow the spirit of self-reliance from a tender age.

Though offloading the curricula was a good move, in the teacher’s view, the best approach could have been to reduce content of each curriculum. 

Contacted for comment on the development, Botswana Sectors of Educators’ Trade Union publicity secretary Edwin Maitshoko said as teachers they have been advocating for ‘dual pathways’, where learners are channelled towards their abilities. As things are, he said the curricula was too loaded and did not promote specialisation from a young age.

“We have always been of the view that students must from an early age focus on subjects that they are good at. So, this is a good development only if the four subjects to be examined at PSLE are not generic, but peculiar to each learner as well as taking into account their capability,” he said.  

Moreover, he said even the secondary curricula was too demanding and the subjects needed to be reduced from 10 and nine in some instances.  “It shouldn’t be a size-fits-all curricula because if that’s how it will be implemented then, in our view, nothing will be solved,” he added.  

Botswana Teachers Union spokesperson, Zweli Tupane said the union was to meet yesterday afternoon to formulate a position on issues that were discussed at the pitso.   An attempt to get an official comment from the Ministry of Basic Education on how exactly this would be carried out hit a snag as assistant minister Moisaraela Goya said it was still at an infant stage.   “I don’t think it is a discussion we can have with the media now, the decision is yet to be concluded,” Moisaraela said.