(introduction...)

Gaborone, Botswana
5 to 8 December 2000

An initiative launched jointly by:
International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre international pour l’enseignement technique et la formation professionnels	Ministry of Education Department of Vocational Education and Training

UNESCO’s International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

UNESCO’s International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC) in Bonn, Germany, started its operations in September 2000. It was established based on a decision by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999.

The Centre in Bonn is a milestone in UNESCO’s new approach to technical and vocational education and training. It plays an important role in UNESCO’s long-term international Programme on Technical and Vocational Education and Training which was launched in early 2000.

Through the Centre, UNESCO seeks to provide a platform for inter-agency co-operation within the system of the United Nations and beyond. The International Labour Organization (ILO) in particular is a natural partner of UNESCO in the field of vocational education and training.

The first major initiative launched by the new UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre was the initiative “Learning for Life, Work and the Future: Stimulating Reform in Southern Africa through Subregional Co-operation”.

The Department of Vocational Education and Training of the Ministry of Education of Botswana

The Department of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Ministry of Education, Botswana, has overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of technical and vocational education in Botswana. The Department is currently in the process of introducing new programmes meeting international standards, which are designed in co-operation with industry, which are outcomes-based and modularised and designed for flexibility and lifelong learning. After going through a period of using or adapting European programmes, the department is now equipped to develop technical and vocational education in Botswana for Batswana. A Quality Assurance and Assessment Unit has been established to ensure that agreed quality criteria are maintained at all times. Apart from building several new institutions, increased access will be achieved through a very high utilisation of facilities and distance education in combination with e-learning. A major strategy for the way forward is to raise the level of training, by putting more emphasis on technician training than artisan training, to meet the new demands of industry, the technology revolution and the knowledge society. The Department has about 100 employees, out of which about 65 are professionals.

This report was prepared jointly by UNESCO’s International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Bonn, Germany and the Department of Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education, Gaborone, Botswana. Editorial assistance: Ms Jane Swartland, Mr Jim Sullivan. Photographs: Ms Sabine Ayeh. Production: Mr Hans Krönner.

UNESCO

International Centre for Technical and
Vocational Education and Training
Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10
53113 Bonn
Germany

[+49] (228) 2 43 37 0

[+49] (228) 2 43 37 77
@ botswana@unevoc.de
Web http://www.unevoc.de/botswana

Ministry of Education
Department of Vocational
Education and Training
P/Bag 0062
Gaborone
Botswana

[+267] 3 65 50 01/2/4

[+267] 58 09 43/2/1
@ dvet@gov.bw

Document Nr ED/IUG/021

Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) - that participated in the Gaborone Workshop / that were not able to attend