The Role of Adult Education in Women's Empowerment
National Report on the Development and State of the Art of Adult Learning and Education in Botswana
Ministry of Education and Skills Development
2008
1
FOREWORD
Honourable Jacob D. Nkate Minister of Education and Skills Development The Fifth International Conference on Adult Learning and Education (CONFINTEA V) has motivated the nation of Botswana to accelerate its effort in the provision of adult learning and education. That kind of action was necessary because we firmly believe that we must provide the best education for all the people of Botswana. The Government of Botswana did so by embarking upon policy reforms and by purposely reviewing actions and strategies aimed at meeting the goals set out in the two documents that were the major outcomes of CONFINTEA V, namely; The Hamburg Declaration on Adult Learning and Education and The Agenda for the Future. The Declaration provided a general statement of commitment to adult education as the key to the 21st Century and the attainment of sustainable and equitable development. The Agenda for the Future sets out in detail how this commitment to the new conception of adult learning could be converted into specific activities. This report is being prepared within the context of these important documents. It, therefore, summarises some of the major developments in adult learning and education since 1997. Particular attention is paid to the humble achievements and challenges encountered in promoting adult learning and education within the framework of lifelong learning for all Batswana. Whilst we may not have achieved all the goals that we aimed to record, we note with appreciation that we have achieved some successes worth noting. Some of these achievements include a national literacy rate of 81%, re-orientation of our curriculum to improve the standard of adult learning and education, provision of opportunities for learners to acquire work related skills as well as promote greater participation in adult learning
Ministry of Education and Skills Development
2008
1
FOREWORD
Honourable Jacob D. Nkate Minister of Education and Skills Development The Fifth International Conference on Adult Learning and Education (CONFINTEA V) has motivated the nation of Botswana to accelerate its effort in the provision of adult learning and education. That kind of action was necessary because we firmly believe that we must provide the best education for all the people of Botswana. The Government of Botswana did so by embarking upon policy reforms and by purposely reviewing actions and strategies aimed at meeting the goals set out in the two documents that were the major outcomes of CONFINTEA V, namely; The Hamburg Declaration on Adult Learning and Education and The Agenda for the Future. The Declaration provided a general statement of commitment to adult education as the key to the 21st Century and the attainment of sustainable and equitable development. The Agenda for the Future sets out in detail how this commitment to the new conception of adult learning could be converted into specific activities. This report is being prepared within the context of these important documents. It, therefore, summarises some of the major developments in adult learning and education since 1997. Particular attention is paid to the humble achievements and challenges encountered in promoting adult learning and education within the framework of lifelong learning for all Batswana. Whilst we may not have achieved all the goals that we aimed to record, we note with appreciation that we have achieved some successes worth noting. Some of these achievements include a national literacy rate of 81%, re-orientation of our curriculum to improve the standard of adult learning and education, provision of opportunities for learners to acquire work related skills as well as promote greater participation in adult learning