“The Commission recommends that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) should improve implementation and monitoring of education policies and programmes for improved academic performance in schools and promotion of technical and vocational education,” reads the report from the Commission. The Commission also recommends that the MoESD should establish an independent inspectorate for schools on quality assurance and monitoring of performance in schools.
“The Commission further recommends that multiple pathways in education should be introduced at primary school level for early identification and development of talent, based on learner strengths and capabilities. The Commission further recommends that automatic promotion should not apply to non-performing pupils at primary school level and instead pupils should be allowed to repeat classes. The Commission recommends that corporal punishment be reintroduced in schools,” the Commission stated. Submissions were made in favour of grade- retention or non-promotion for learners who do not achieve set requirements, arguing that the current system of automatic promotion has reinforced failure rate at schools. “Opinions were expressed at the Botswana Education system at utilising talents and gifts of students and promote vocational training. There was support for introduction of a multiple pathways education at primary school level, this they said, will enable learners to acquire life skills and experience for survival and contribution to the economy once they completed schooling. The need to introduce preschools at all primary schools and strengthen skills development and vocational training was emphasised,” reads the report.
