In pursuance of the Presidential Directive CAB 37(B) 2009, which states that the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) and the Tertiary Education Council (TEC) be merged and the rationalisation to include bringing Vocational Training Institutions under the policy direction of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, a first step was taken with the official handover of BOTA to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development on Wednesday.
Speaking at the official handover of BOTA, the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Education, Keletso Rakhudu, said, “It is indeed a significant development in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to welcome on board “a new baby, in the name of Botswana Training Authority. It is therefore a happy moment for the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.”
He said this move is a guarantee that the Ministry will run a comprehensive, coordinated, quality, accessible education and training system and will ensure an efficient and effective education and skills development system and will address, to a large extent, the running of an un-fragmented system, like it has been the case.
Rakhudu said that he was impressed with where BOTA is and, as a ministry, they are motivated by where BOTA is going and pledged their support and commitment to growing the quality Vocational Training System.
Skills development is in the list of priorities of the Government of Botswana as highlighted in several speeches made by President Ian Khama.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs for his conspicuously excellent leadership in the past ten years of BOTA’s existence. And promise to forge ahead and ensure BOTA achieves its mandate. I acknowledge the challenges stated in your speech and promise to collectively work towards resolving some, if not all the issues,” he said.
Rakhudu promised that his Ministry will accord BOTA the support it needs to implement the strategic plan and address the challenges. “The MoESD will provide an enabling and conducive environment for BOTA to grow and prosper.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Peter Siele, said, “The transfer of BOTA marks an important milestone in our national drive to have a responsive, comprehensive and coordinated human resource development system that meets the needs of both the national and global labour market.”
He added: “I am happy and much fulfilled to handover BOTA, in its current status, to its new Ministry.”
Siele noted that since his Ministry is represented on the Board of Directors of BOTA, they shall continue to influence the development of the organisation and its offerings.
