25 Feb 2025

Investing in education and training relevant to the needs of the economy is vital as Botswana seeks to grow the economy and address unemployment, Ms Lesego Chombo, the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs has told Parliament.

Partaking in the ongoing Budget Speech debate at the National Assembly on Monday, she said the commitment by the government to invest in vocational education was a necessary step in addressing rising numbers of the unemployed.

“Technical, vocational education and training stands as a critical bridge will enable our young people to develop practical skills, often diverse and transferable across industries, and adapt to evolving job market demands and new opportunities,” Ms Chombo said.

She said if such was uniquely aligned to industry needs, practical skills development would prepare the youth for direct entry into the workplace. “It will require us to develop industry-specific training to design programmes in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with current workforce demands and technological advancements. This close industry connection would make our graduates highly employable with the relevant skills to excel,” she said. 

In addition to technical education, Ms Chombo said cultivating  entrepreneurship spirit among school going youth was important to help transform the economy.

She also said the P300 child grant extended per month for babies until they turn one year old, would have multiple effect of also contributing to gender equity through assisting supporting single mothers living in poverty, and addressing some of the challenges faced by youth.

She appreciated that the budget proposed the second largest share of the ministerial recurrent budget to the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education displayed the government’s commitment for the country’s future.

“From the stance of being the Minister responsible for youth development I find that fostering an environment conducive to the holistic development of children is not only a sensibly humane thing to do, it is also a proactive way of curbing social ills amongst future youth and adults,” Ms Chombo said.

She said the youth of Botswana were currently burdened by childhood trauma, mental health issues and unstable mindsets instilled in them from birth, leading to drug abuse as a coping mechanisms for this, worsened by bearing qualifications that may not be fit for purpose in the economy.’

By investing in comprehensive education of children that fosters cognitive, emotional and mental abilities would lead to holistic development of children who would be able to dream and become proactive and productive youth, she said.

She said the government’s pledge to invest in Bonno Housing Initiative would address the needs of middle and low income earners, which would improve their access to home ownership for all regardless of their circumstances. ENDS