Dr. Butale calls for enquiry on education crisis

Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central Dr Phenyo Butale has called for an Independent Commission of Enquiry into the plummeting education results.

Dr Butale through a motion he tabled before Parliament said the commission would assist in coming up with tangible solutions that would address the crisis that has been ongoing for months now.

The legislator told Parliament that currently there is finger pointing among stakeholders. He said unions have accused the education system of compounding the situation.

“They argue that automatic promotion of students from primary to secondary is a contributing factor. When you bring a student that got grade ‘D’ to senior school you can only expect miracles to happen for the student to pass the final examination. Teachers have also indicated that students who fail at junior school find it difficult to cope at senior schools”, said Dr Butale.

The MP said there is also an issue of resources in public schools. Dr Butale argued that only a commission would assist with identifying such challenges and others, and map the way out of this mess. Dr Butale expressed concern that even mission schools, which have been performing well in the past, are now experiencing a decline in their performance.