Presented by Hildah Mokgolodi

A little History of Botswana square kilometers or size of France Just reached the 2 million mark in this year population census The poorest country in the world in 1966 Poverty alleviated through provision of social services such as Health and Education Career guidance started in 1963 but got structured in 1996.

Basic Education 12 years 7 at primary school level, 3 at junior & 2 at senior secondary level All children encouraged to go through school. Not compulsory education but for years free basic education Cost sharing introduced mid 2000 Disadvantaged children still have the government taking care of their needs, including education.

National curriculum Cocurricular activities – Sport/clubs Basic Education Curriculum (Subjects): Career Guidance infused Guidance & Counselling Programme

Why Guidance & Counselling Globalisation - compete for higher learning/ further training and work opportunities internationally Social Challenges - technological changes, diseases and enhancement substances Disintegration of extended family structures – Lack of role models to give appropriate guidance

The Guidance & Counselling Model Policy Guidelines – Guides implementation Guidance & Counselling Curriculum Guidelines – guides teacher at classroom level Staffing: Senior Teacher Guidance & Counselling, coordinators in all schools Training: None – PhD in Guidance & Counseling

G&C Model….. Four areas of focus Personal Vocatio nal Social Education al

G&C programme Time Tabled to be taught in all schools Primary: 30mins, once a week, teacher teaches many other subjects Secondary: 1hour, once a week. Teacher may be teaching another subject or offering only guidance

Outside the classroom Career Counselling: Individual/ group/ Call centre Career fairs Other Career programmes Take a Child to Work (Primary school level) Parents are accompanied by their children to their work places Parent is beyond mum & dad, to include, siblings, relatives, guardians & teachers. All stakeholders involved in career development of learner Job Shadowing (secondary school level) Girls in science workshops (secondary) Youth forums (career expos) both primary & secondary

Other structures NGOs Tertiary Education Council Financial Institutions University – Careers & Counselling Colleges – (BOCODOL, BAISAGO, Bontle le Botsogo) Media Department of labour

Successes & Challenges Successes All learners can access career guidance and counselling Where G&C is effectively implemented, there are reduced cases of indiscipline & improved results Challenges Teacher /learner ratios (poor quality guidance) Inappropriately trained career guidance teacher – results in tertiary students in wrong fields, Poorly prepared learners who grow to be poorly prepared adults

Successes & Challenges…. Dual roles of teacher & counsellors Weak professionalization of career guidance Uncoordinated career development programmes

Way forward Advocacy for Varied & comprehensive career intervention programmes at primary school level (or formative years) Non formal activities (such as Take a Child to Work) but structured Equal standing of career guidance & Counselling as other subjects Political voices/ political will.

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