14 Aug 2024

Over 100 lecturers from Molepolole, Tlokweng and Serowe colleges of education were trained in Outcome Based Education (OBE) between 2022 and 2023.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Honourable Aubrey Lesaso said the group consisted primarily of heads of departments and members of curriculum committees.

Honourable Lesaso said the final component of training, which focused on assessment was delivered in 2024, adding that the goal was to develop a team of trainers who would then facilitate the remaining staff at their respective colleges.

He said training for Tonota College of Education was currently ongoing.

The Assistant Minister added that the most recent review of the curriculum for colleges of education, which aligned with OBE was completed in 2023, noting that in 2022, new qualifications were developed, including the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education, Diploma in Primary Education, Diploma in Secondary Education.

Mr Lesaso said the qualifications were approved and registered in the National Credit and Qualification Framework in 2022.

“Subsequently, the learning programmes for the qualifications were accredited by the Botswana Qualification Authority in 2023 and the programmes were set to be offered staring from the Academic Year 2024/2025,” he said.

Assistant Minister Lesaso said the process of curriculum development involved engagement of stakeholders and the key strategic stakeholders were University of Botswana, Botswana Examinations Council, Human Resources Development Council and Botswana Qualification Authority.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama had asked the assistant minister to brief Parliament on the state of preparedness regarding the implementation of OBE system in college of education and also state the number of college lecturers fully trained on OBE.

The MP further wanted to know when last the curriculum for colleges of education was reviewed to align it with the OBE curriculum requirements, and if not, how OBE was expected to be effectively implemented in the colleges.

Mr Hikuama also wanted to know if there were any plans to consult key strategic partners such as educator trade unions on the implementation of OBE. ENDS