Exams going well - Khama

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday November 9, 2010 00:00

 

He said this yesterday during the State of the Nation Address to a dismayed audience.   Despite murmurs of disproval, Khama went on to say that the media is inundated with reports on the impasse between teacher organisations and the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC). 

'Exams have started and are running well, with the assistance of willing teachers, retired teachers and unemployed graduates and some qualified officers as per the BEC Act,' he said.

Just recently BGSCE English paper was cancelled and a re-set paper scheduled for November 18. Appealing to all qualified personnel to assist with the remaining examinations, President Khama said reports that some teachers were interfering with the exams, including intimidation of their colleagues doing invigilation, was a great concern.

He warned that there are laws against their actions. 'We shall not hesitate to bring order where we must,' he declared.

Meanwhile, Khama said there has been a noticeable reversal in the transition from junior to senior secondary school, mainly due to declining performance in the JCE.

'Reversing this decline is an urgent priority,' he said.  He further said the Education Ministry is currently developing standards and indicators of quality education, which will help the country effectively deliver and monitor the quality of education.  

Part of efforts to up the education standards he said is the introduction of a revised junior secondary school curriculum to better address areas such as entrepreneurial skills, civic education, environmental and anti-corruption issues. ICT has also been integrated into the new curriculum.

'Government is in the process of revising the BGSCE curriculum to ensure that it too better instills needed skills,' he said.