Training

Botswana is investing in education. There is no formal compulsory schooling, but all children are entitled to ten years of primary school. More than 90 percent of children complete the first seven-year stage. The proportion of literate adults has increased rapidly.

The proportion of illiterates amounted to two-thirds of the adult population just a couple of decades ago, but today almost nine out of ten residents master the art of reading and writing. Education uses an unusually large part of the state budget and teacher density is the highest in Africa; on average there is a teacher of 25 pupils in the lower stages.

• COUNTRYAAH: Country facts of Botswana, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.

In 2006, school fees were reintroduced from high school, after 20 years of free schooling at all levels. The decision caused loud protests, even though families with low incomes do not have to pay. More than half of the children attend the three-year high school and the two-year high school.

Teaching takes place in setswana the first school years and then in English.

Relatively few botswani read at any kind of college. The country’s only university, the University of Botswana, has around 18,000 students and branches in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun. Colleges with different vocational orientations are also located in a number of places in the country. Many Botswani study abroad, especially in South Africa.

• Searchforpublicschools: Offers schooling information of Botswana in each level – compulsory, technical and higher education programs.

FACTS – EDUCATION

Proportion of children starting primary school

89.0 percent (2014)

Number of pupils per teacher in primary school

23 (2013)

Reading and writing skills

87.7 percent (2014)

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP

20.5 percent (2009)

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of the state budget

20.5 percent (2009)

2018

December

The ex-president’s brother is degraded

December 14

President Masisi conducts a government transformation and moves his predecessor Ian Khamas brother Tshekedi Khama from the influential post of Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism to the post of Minister of Sport and Culture. The decision restricts the conflict between Masisi and Ian Khama (see November 6, 2018) During his time as president, Ian Khama wanted to appoint his brother as vice president, which Masisi stopped.

November

Quarrels at the presidential level

November 6

In a speech to the nation, President Masisi attacks his representative Ian Khama, saying that one reason the old allies have ended up in conflict is disagreement over what privileges Khama should have as a pensioner. According to media reports, Khama is upset that Masisi refuses to let him use the government’s aircraft. Masisi should also have instructed the media not to comment on Khama. Furthermore, Khama and Masisi disagree on the handling of the former head of the intelligence service Isaac Kgosi who was fired by Masisi (see May 2018). Khama then wanted to hire Kgosi as secretary but this did not approve of Masisi.

May

The spy boss is kicked

May 2

It is known that the country’s new president Mokgweetsi Masisi dismissed the head of the country’s security service, Isaac Kgosi, who is suspected to be involved in some current corruption deals. This applies, for example, to embezzlement of the equivalent of US $ 25 million which is believed to have disappeared into foreign accounts under false pretenses that the money was being used to buy military equipment.

April

Swap the presidential post

April 1st

After completing a second term as President, Ian Khama resigns. He is succeeded by his Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The change of power takes place 18 months before the next elections to be held in October 2019. Masisi is a veteran of the BDP government party and a close ally of Ian Khama. In his installation figures, Masisi promises that he will implement measures against rising unemployment among young people and ensure that more people receive treatment for HIV. 22 percent of Botswana residents are HIV-infected.