PPRA cancels Basic Education multi-million Pula tender

 

The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education has been directed to immediately cancel the procurement activity due to the inappropriate and unjustified use of the direct procurement method and for failing to comply with established procurement procedures.

This comes after the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) on the 5th of August 2025 commenced statutory investigations into Tender Number MWCBE/POU/HQ/P&PM/SER/005/2025-26 - A Service Contract for the Implementation of an Integrated STEAM E-Learning Solution, Early Childhood Learning Solution, Coding & Robotics Solutions & Teacher Capacity Building in the Ministry of

Child Welfare and Basic Education which investigations were concluded on the 28th August 2025.

The P662 million tender sparked public outrage following revelations by whistle-blowers across multiple media platforms.

The ministry refuted the claims that the tender has been awarded. In light of the outcome, and in the exercise of its powers under the Act and Regulation 134(3) of the PP Regulations, the Authority issued a directive to the Ministry.

“The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education must: secure funding for this project before any re-tendering that may occur; Establish an appropriate structure for the management of this project; Develop appropriate terms of reference for this project and ensure that the scope is sufficient, and manage all project risks;

Use competitive bidding methods for this project, and/or sufficiently test the market before any short-listing of potential bidders; Ensure separation of duties and independence of function in the execution of the procurement functions for any procurement activity,” PPRA ordered.

Emeritus Training Academy Botswana (Pty) Ltd is hereby referred to the Suspension and Delisting Committee for investigation into possible contravention of Code 3.2 of the Code of Conduct for Contractors.

PPRA stated that in accordance with Regulation 134(4) of the PP Regulations, the Accounting Officer shall respond in writing to the directive and the report herewith submitted, within 14 days from the date of receipt of the directive, indicating any action to be taken and shall, in addition, prepare and submit to the Authority a report on the implementation status within three months from the date of receiving the directive.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government, which assumed office in November last year, is facing criticism over its use of direct appointments in public tenders.

President Advocate Boko has indicated that where he sees there is an urgent need for procurement, his government will issue a direct appointment, as he feels the tendering process is tedious.