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.
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Allcitypopulation: Offers a list of biggest cities in the state of
Botswana, including the capital city which hosts major colleges and
universities.
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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.
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.
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