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Education Sector

Botswana holds a mid-term review towards the realisation of EFA 2015 goals

Botswana’s mid-term progress review of its goals to attain Education for All by 2015 took place in Gaborone from 12-13 March, 2007. Under the theme “Towards the Realisation of Education for All Goals (EFA) by 2015”, the review assessed the implementation of the EFA Action Plan.

It also:

• assessed progress made so far in achieving major goals, objectives and targets as presented in the Plan;

• reviewed the Plan’s objectives, benchmarks and strategies for each of the EFA goals;

• identified major challenges hindering progress; and

• formulated strategies for the way forward.

The Ministry of Education gave an overview of the education system and its related components. It further acknowledged Botswana’s commitment to United Nations initiatives, including the Dakar Framework of Action and the Millennium Development Goals.

The Ministry reported an increase in primary enrolment, from 87% to 98%, in a period of one year. Rather than restricting focus, on access to education, to basic and junior levels, the Ministry has widened its scope to include tertiary level.

A number of achievements were highlighted and some of these are the:

• development of a draft Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) policy;

• review of the National Literacy Programme to ensure increased impact

• enhanced access for learners with special needs to 27 regular schools;

• establishment of a distance learning college for continuing education;

• production of a comprehensive teachers guide for curriculum development and evaluation; and

• reduction in class sizes from 40 to 30 pupils.

Botswana’s progress towards the realisation of EFA goals by 2015 is threatened by budget limitations. Limited human and financial resources continue to pose challenges to programmes such as ECCE.

Other challenges include:

• shortage of classrooms, electricity and computer labs;

• high dropout rate and low male circumcision;

• teen pregnancies; and

• HIV and AIDS.

In an effort to overcome the challenges, the meeting recommended employment of an officer to coordinate EFA activities, and the development of a clear policy. It further called for the establishment of training facilities for ECCE teachers.

To achieve EFA by 2015, the Ministry needs to develop educational policies that are inclusive, explore ways to improve the management of teachers and design a dictionary on sign language for the deaf, among other actions.

For more information, email: t.dos-santos@unesco.org . Top

Meeting on effective governance of state universities in Zimbabwe

The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe hosted a roundtable dialogue on effective governance and management of universities from 21-22 March 2007 in Nyanga. Through the roundtable discussions, the ministry sought to strengthen the relationship among stakeholders that comprise the ministry, vice chancellors and the students.

Specifically, the meeting aimed at:

• improving communication between the Ministry and the universities;

• revising the role of vice chancellors as chief executive officers of state universities;

• conscientising vice chancellors on the importance of student communities;

• providing a forum for addressing challenges faced by all stakeholders; and

• reviewing the coordination of duties in labour disputes.

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Stan Mudenge, his deputy (Mr. Lazarus Dokora), all vice chancellors of state universities, and the Chairman of the Council at Midlands State University (representing council chairmen of all universities), heads of departments from the Ministry and two student representatives from each university attended.

A total of nine state universities were represented at the meeting.

Dr Mudenge presented a paper on the function of vice chancellors as chief executive officers of universities, highlighting the dynamic nature of this role. Vice chancellors were advised to exercise authority on academic and administrative issues and continually work with the Chancellor (His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Robert Mugabe). He also pointed out the importance of students in any university set-up and called for their recognition through the provision of a platform for them to share their own perspectives on issues.

The meeting also looked the legal framework, and the role of the vice-chancellors, for resolving disputes in universities such as the industrial actions at the University of Zimbabwe and NUST. The framework provides the roles and functions of all stakeholders from the Ministry and universities.

Another key aspect highlighted in the discussions was the need for universities to become centres of excellence, conducting national and regional researches to benefit the African continent. Participants urged universities to engage Zimbabwean-based research among its academics. Universities have several functions and one of these is knowledge generation through research. African universities still face challenges in dispensing duties associated with this role.

Participants:

• recommended that stakeholders (Ministry, students, vice chancellors) should improve communication among themselves;

• called for appreciation of the current economic challenges and the development of mechanisms to overcome them;

• highlighted the importance of student associations since they represented the most important community in the university;

• called for the development of a supportive environment to help avert the current economic challenges; and

• urged universities to be productive, through entrepreneurial and agricultural mechanisms, in order to sustain themselves.

For more information, email: mmmmbira@yahoo.co.uk. Top