Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Botswana

14/06/2026

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education in collaboration with Kweneng District Council will commemorate the National Day of the African Child 2026 on 16 June 2026 at Lentsweletau Service Centre from 0830hrs to 1300hrs.

The commemoration will be held under the theme: "𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮.”

The Honourable Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Hon. Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, will officiate as the Guest Speaker.

12/06/2026

Record of Bid Opening

11/06/2026

HUNYEPA LAUNCHES SCOUT MOVEMENT AT ARTESIA JSS

ARTESIA, KGATLENG REGION – Artesia Junior Secondary School inaugurated its Scout Movement on 9 June 2026 in a ceremony presided over by the Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Honourable Justin Chipo Hunyepa, marking a pivotal development in advancing student leadership, discipline and all-rounded growth.

Welcoming attendees, School Head Ms Segakweng Qobo showcased the school’s legacy since its 1994 founding and outlined its achievements in sports and co-curricular pursuits. She explained the school draws learners from neighbouring villages, including Kgomodiatshaba, Khurutshe, Budungwane, Dikgonnye, Leshibitse and Ramotlabaki, making initiatives like scouting vital for cultivating unity among students of varied backgrounds.

Addressing staff and students, Honourable Hunyepa emphasised that scouting is much more than marching and outdoor activities. He described it as a platform that promotes academic excellence, critical thinking, teamwork, patriotism and self-discipline.“Parents and teachers started and continue to support scouting because they care about the future of our children,” he said.
The Assistant Minister explained that simple daily habits such as making one’s bed, polishing shoes and maintaining personal responsibility help cultivate discipline and organisation, qualities that are essential both in school and in later life. He encouraged learners to take ownership of the Scout Movement and student leadership structures, stressing that they should become increasingly self-driven with minimal supervision from teachers.

He further noted that scouting complements Botswana’s STEAM-based education model by developing creativity, problem-solving abilities and leadership skills. He encouraged the establishment of various committees within the scouting programme, such as entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, community service, and cultural activities groups, to help learners develop practical skills that benefit them beyond the classroom.

Honourable Hunyepa also acknowledged infrastructure and resource challenges facing schools and expressed optimism about ongoing education reforms. He highlighted the role of the Education Infrastructure Management Company (EIMC), a government-owned entity mandated to transform and modernise Botswana’s education infrastructure, saying its work offers hope for improved learning environments nationwide.
Speaking on national development, he said the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) presents a clear and promising vision for the future, with education serving as a key driver of economic growth and transformation.The Assistant Minister also challenged stakeholders to modernise scouting programmes to remain relevant to today’s learners, noting that the needs of young people continue to evolve with changing times.

Also addressing the gathering, Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West, Honourable Unity Dow, underscored the importance of scouting in shaping responsible citizens and future leaders. She reminded students that productive engagement is key to personal growth, encouraging them to make good use of their time and opportunities.Honourable Dow described scouting as an important vehicle for building character, responsibility and positive life choices, qualities that contribute significantly to successful futures.

The launch of the Scout Movement is expected to strengthen discipline, self-reliance, leadership and academic performance at Artesia Junior Secondary School through learner-led initiatives, peer support structures and community service activities.

09/06/2026

*PUBLIC NOTICE*

2026 BOTSWANA SCHOOLS NATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD- MUSIC PRESCRIPTION

09/06/2026

Hon. Nono Kgafela-Mokoka is a proud product of Botswana's public school system. From those classrooms, she went on to build a distinguished academic and professional career spanning more than 29 years in the education sector.

Today, as Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, she has become one of the leading voices calling for an urgent transformation of Botswana's education system. Her vision is clear: education should not be viewed as a single phase of life, but as a continuous journey that equips every citizen with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability required for lifelong learning.

This vision recognizes that the future of Botswana depends not only on what learners know today, but on their ability to continue learning, innovating, and thriving throughout their lives.

It is this commitment to transforming educational outcomes and creating learning environments fit for the future, that led to the establishment of the EIMC.

As Hon. Kgafela-Mokoka reminds us, every leader, teacher, nurse, farmer, entrepreneur, and public servant began in a classroom.

Public schools built Botswana.

Let's build them back.

09/06/2026

*PROJECT BULA BUKA: THE KEY TO REALISING ASPIRATIONS*

Project Bula Buka is currently making progresses in the North West Region, facilitated through the Out of School Education Training (OSET). This initiative is intended to support out of school youth who did not perform well in their Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE). It started off with the enrolment of 2025 JCE candidates who were unable to gain admission into senior secondary schools thus its offers them a second chance to continue their education and achieve their goals.

At present, 47 learners have been enrolled in the academic pathway with an additional 160 students awaiting placement in vocational pathways as preparations are ongoing. These placements were determined through a comprehensive learner profiling process ensuring that each student is placed at the most suitable pathway based on their needs and potential. Parents and learners actively participated in this process gaining a clear understanding of the initiatives purpose and receiving orientation for the classes.

Despite current financial challenges faced by the government, teachers remain optimistic, emphasizing that with dedication from both students and themselves, Project Bula Buka can produce positive academic outcomes. Principal Education Officer Mr. Keogotse Ketlogetswe emphasised the importance of this initiative and urges learners to take the opportunity seriously as it paves the way for their transition into senior secondary schools and broader educational advancement.

08/06/2026

MINISTRY COLLABORATES WITH UNIONS TO REVITALISE SCHOOL SPORTS

In a bid to revive school sports across the country, the Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Honourable Justin Hunyepa, met with Teachers union representatives today to expedite negotiations that have stalled for seven years.

The Assistant Minister stressed that the government remains fully committed to seeing "the break of dawn" in these negotiations, paving the way for the immediate commencement of school sports, despite the broader economic challenges currently facing the country. He strongly urged all participating parties to negotiate in good faith to reach a swift conclusion.

Tabling their proposals during the meeting, the Union representatives maintained that reviving school sports requires a deep, mutual understanding between the government and educators. They emphasized that active and willing teacher participation is vital to achieving an outcome that ultimately serves the best interests of the child.

The Unions' submitted report outlines several proposals aimed at bringing the prolonged dispute to a close. However, union leaders raised a critical concern regarding teachers' official working hours, warning that as long as the government does not close hours of work for teachers, friction unavoidable.

Furthermore, the Unions echoed the Assistant Minister's sentiment regarding collaboration, urging the involvement of overlapping ministries and strategic partners to ensure the sports program is sustainable.

The meeting concluded on a collaborative note, with both the Government delegation and Union representatives calling for renewed commitment. Both parties expressed a mutual desire to foster better, result-oriented relations moving forward to ensure the nation's children do not lose out on the benefits of school sports.

08/06/2026

05/06/2026

TONOTA SCHOOLS HOLD EXCELLENCE FORUM

Junior Secondary Schools in the Tonota Sub-Region recently brought together their Form Three students for an Excellence Forum aimed at discussing academic challenges and identifying strategies to improve academic performance across the region.

The participating schools; Chamabona, Letlhabile, Tlhalogang, Tonota, and Rutwang Junior Secondary Schools, each selected fifteen (15) students and three (3) members of staff to attend the forum. Also invited were three 2025 Junior Certificate Examination (JCE) candidates currently enrolled at Shashe Senior Secondary School.

During the forum, students deliberated on various strategies that schools could implement to enhance academic performance. These included peer teaching, where students assist and explain concepts to their classmates; revitalising and strengthening subject-based clubs and fairs, particularly in Mathematics and Science; forming study groups; improving attitudes towards subjects and teachers; and promoting positive behaviour and discipline among students.

The Chairperson of Heads in the Tonota Sub-Region, Ms. Mabuwa, assured participants that the ideas and recommendations put forward by the students would be carefully considered and incorporated into efforts to improve academic results.

This initiative, held under the theme “Striving for Excellence through Collaboration and Innovation”, is the first of its kind in the Tonota Sub-Region and is planned to become an annual event.

04/06/2026

UB REITERATES COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION

The Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Honourable Nono Kgafela – Mokoka paid a courtesy call to the University of Botswana Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris.

The courtesy call objective was to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry and the University in advancing innovation and preparing learners for the demands of the 21st century. Discussions also focused on the role of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education in developing highly skilled, adaptable, and resilient graduates, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and technology – driven world.

Honourable Kgafela-Mokoka emphasized that higher education institutions must create meaningful impact within communities and contribute to national development by producing graduates equipped with critical skills that respond to the needs of the economy and the evolving world of work.

In response, Professor David Norris reaffirmed the University of Botswana’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in achieving its objectives. He highlighted that the University has a highly qualified executive management team vast expertise across various disciplines, which can be leveraged to support the Ministry through research, innovation, policy advice, and skills development initiatives.

The meeting demonstrated a collective commitment to developing future-ready graduates whose skills, knowledge, and innovation will contribute to Botswana's sustainable development.