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Making schools count

Here is an end of year note on matters of teaching and learning. The note could not have come at a better time. The Botswana Examination Council (BEC) has just awarded the 2021 PSLE candidates their grades. As usual schools have experienced mixed fortunes.

Some have fulfilled their dreams while others have been frustrated. Both parents and government are seeking answers especially from underachieving schools. All learners, thanks to automatic progression, are assured of a free passage to the next level.

However, parents of those underachieving children remain anxious about how their children will navigate academic hurdles ahead. The PSLE grades present an opportunity for accountability. Accountability knows no boundaries. It is a cross cutting exercise involving all parties from the central office, Regions/sub regions and schools. There is need to interrogate and interpret the quantitative data at hand. The big question is what is the story behind the grades? And what are the underlying factors behind the grades?

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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