27 Mar 2025

The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education has a partnership with Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs and Ministry of Communications and Innovation to implement the schools’ connectivity project.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Ms Nono Kgafela-Mokoka told parliament that BOCRA through the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF) had deployed a total of 205 information technology personnel to 205 primary schools in Ghanzi, Charleshill, Kgalagadi, Tsabong, Mabutsane, Mogoditshane, Thamaga, Letlhakeng, Kweneng and Goodhope districts.

She said through the partnership, BOCRA had also provided internet connectivity and ICT equipment to assist in the transformation of teaching and learning in primary schools.

Ms Kgafela-Mokoka said IT officers had been contracted jointly by BOCRA/UASF while their wages were paid fully by BOCRA from the UASF.

She said the local government and traditional affairs ministry was responsible for non-teaching staff in primary schools, while her ministry was responsible for teaching staff.

Ms Kgafela-Mokoka said while talks were ongoing on future absorption of IT officers, the most relevant ministry to absorb was local government and traditional affairs or communications and innovation ministry who employed IT personnel for secondment to all government institutions.

MP for Lentsweletau/Lephepe, Mr Tshenolo Bogatsu had asked the minister to explain her ministry’s relationship with BOCRA personnel in primary schools. Mr Bogatsu asked the minister if they were contracted by the ministry of local government and traditional affairs and the wages paid by BOCRA and who should absorb them at the end of their three-year term. ENDS