Category: Media Release

The Botswana Teaching Professionals Council delegation comprising of the Registrar and Board members is currently attended the  Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA)’s 11^th Conference and 13^th Roundtable,  in Lusaka, Zambia hosted by the Ministry of Education Zambia,  and the Teaching Council of Zambia from the 6^th -11^th May, 2024.

The delegation was led by BOTEPCO registrar Dr. Raphael Dingalo and the Board Chairperson Ms. Selang Mogatwane and also included members of the BOTEPCO Board.

Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities [AFTRA] is the intergovernmental apex regulatory authority for the teaching profession in Africa. It comprises the Ministries of Education and national agencies regulating teaching in the continent. Inaugurated in 2010 by the Ministers of Education, the key mandates are to ensure that teaching is regulated like other noble professions, and that teachers are of high quality and enjoy recognition and high social status comparable to their peers anywhere in the world.

Therefore, AFTRA coordinates the national regulatory activities of the teaching profession in all African Union Member States. Based on these mandates, AFTRA annually organizes a conference that stands out as the most impactful and popular summit for charting the way forward for the teaching profession in Africa.

The AFTRA conference draws delegates, speakers and participants from across Africa and other regions of the world. These include the Ministers of Education, Directors from the Ministries of Education, Chief Executive Officers of national teaching regulatory authorities, African Union Commission, UNESCO, Paris/International Task Force on Teachers and UNESCO agencies like the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa, Commonwealth of Learning, Education International, renowned scholars from the academia, leadership of the teacher unions, industry experts and many more.

The conference featured remarkable programmes such as the Opening Ceremony which was officiated by the Zambia Vice President Her Honor Mrs. Mutale Nalumango on the 7^th May, 2024, conferment of AFTRA’s Gold Medal on the President of the host country; a session for the Ministers of Education in Africa and heads of international organizations; and an intercontinental session where experts beyond Africa make technical presentations.

There were also conference paper presentations, special training by UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa, tourist attractions, and the cultural eve. The last day was crowned the AFTRA’s Roundtable (Annual General Meeting) where important decisions were taken about the teaching profession in Africa.

It is worth noting that BOTEPCO’s Registrar, Board Chairperson & Board Vice Chairperson are members of the AFTRA Board and actively took part in the 2024 Conference and Round Table discussions.

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) newly appointed Permanent Secretary Ms. Elizabeth Bonolo Khumotaka paid an official courtesy visit to the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council (BOTEPCO) on Wednesday 10^th April, 2024 as part of her ongoing familiarization initiative with the Ministry’s state-owned enterprises (SOE’s) and institutions nationwide.

Ms. Khumotaka who joined the MoESD on the 1^st of April, explained that her visit to BOTEPCO was fundamental in equipping her with solid information regarding BOTEPCO’s mandate, achievements, and challenges which are instrumental in the 5-year strategic plan that the Ministry is current working on.

Giving an overview of BOTEPCO’s mandate and latest developments since commencing operations in June 2023, the registrar Dr. Raphael Dingalo highlighted that the Council was elated to have been afforded the opportunity to host the Permanent Secretary and her delegation.

He stated the five areas that BOTEPCO is prioritising in setting up so as to professionalise the teacher fraternity being; Stakeholder Engagement, Registration and Licensing System; gazetting the regulations, Teaching Standards, Code of Ethics and Continuous Professional Development Framework. Dr. Dingalo further briefed the PS on the ongoing stakeholder engagement exercise that the council embarked on since October 2023 which prioritised the teaching fraternity nationwide, parastatals, government departments and the current local government councils. In addition, he stated that; “BOTEPCO is currently working round the clock on the “GO LIVE” planning  which shall mark the commencement of the teacher registration and licensing process scheduled to take place within this new 2024/25 financial year.”

For her part, Ms. Khumotaka applauded BOTEPCO for having hit the ground running in its establishment process and its vigorous stakeholder engagement exercise, which she highlighted as a strategic and effective approach towards learning, and understanding the needs of the teaching fraternity in order for the council to serve them well, and according to expectations. She further commended BOTEPCO for its continued engagement and consultation of the teacher representative unions in its establishment and stated that her Ministry will ensure that the Council is given all the support it needs to deliver its mandate efficiently for the benefit of the teaching fraternity and the education sector in the country.

The Botswana Teaching Professional’s Council (BOTEPCO) which recently relocated its operational premises to Fairgrounds in Gaborone is a newly established Body Corporate mandated to professionalize teaching by: maintaining professional and ethical standards; registering and licensing teachers; advocating for the teaching profession amongst others.

Botswana Teaching Professionals Council (BOTEPCO) has commenced its next round of stakeholder engagements, this time with Local Government Councils countrywide. The first engagement started with Gaborone City Full Council meeting which was held on 22^nd March, 2024 at the Council Chambers in Gaborone.

During his address, the Registrar Dr. Raphael Dingalo emphasized that in sharing the BOTEPCO mandate they took into consideration the Councillors importance as the community leadership considering that they deal with different stakeholders in the various communities they lead, including BOTEPCO’s main stakeholders being the teachers.

Dr. Dingalo highlighted  that teachers link together students, other teachers, school administrators, families, and community members to foster the learning success and healthy development of their students, citing International Policy Briefs which notes as follows; when schools, parents, families, and communities work together to support learning, students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and enrol in higher level programs.

He also shared the five areas that BOTEPCO is prioritising in setting up so as to professionalise the teacher fraternity being; Stakeholder Engagement, Registration and Licensing System; gazetting the regulations, Teaching Standards, Code of Ethics and Continuous Professional Development Framework.

The GCC Deputy Mayor Honorable Oduetse Tautona, greatly appreciated BOTEPCO’s initiative of engaging them and the professional conduct displayed by the BOTEPCO staff. This was further reinforced by other Councilors during the question and answer session.

Honourable Councillor Mrs. Motamma Horatius commended BOTEPCO for doing a good job in focusing on teacher professionalism as it will propel the education sector and improve learner results and contribute significantly towards human capital development in Botswana and improvement in the quality of education in general.

Honourable Councilor Mr. Lotty Manyepetsa applauded the Registrar and his team for honouring them as Councilors, encouraging BOTEPCO to work with teacher unions and other relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Skills Development in transforming the teaching fraternity, while the Honourable Councillor Mr. Oarabile Motlaleng buttressed  and was also thankful at the gesture to update them. Amongst other questions, he inquired whether there will be a preliminary test that teachers would have to take, as registration entry requirements. The response was that BOTEPCO is still engaging on the matter and will give an update to be communicated in due course.

For her part, Gaborone District Commissioner Ms. Dintle Setlhotlhe encouraged BOTEPCO to ensure that the teaching fraternity is involved and plays a significant role in the development of teaching standards and code of ethics that will propel their sector to greater heights.

The Botswana Teaching Professional’s Council (BOTEPCO) is a newly established Body Corporate mandated to professionalize teaching by: maintaining professional and ethical standards; registering and licensing teachers; advocating for the teaching profession amongst others

Botswana Teaching Professionals Council (BOTEPCO) in its continued quest to drive its mandate of professionalizing teaching had the privilege of briefing the 4th Ntlo Ya Dikgosi’s 15th Meeting that was held on Tuesday 23^rd January, 2024 at Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort in Gaborone.

In his presentation the Registrar Dr. Raphael Dingalo stated  that the main objective of the inaugural briefing was to extend BOTEPCO Stakeholder Engagement activities to cover Community Leadership as it helps in building involvement and a sense of continuation to a new future. Dr. Dingalo further stated that there is need to plan adequately to include all relevant parties and to allow them to discuss, understand and internalise the Mandate of BOTEPCO highlighting that,

“As a council we will continue updating Borara on further developments and beg your indulgence to assist  in arranging meetings with your communities to further brief the locals on BOTEPCO’s mandate.”

The Chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone highlighted the importance  and objectives of the BOTEPCO’s briefing to Ntlo ya Dikgosi which Borara appreciated through their participation in the Q & A session.

For his part the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Deputy Chairperson Kgosi Tshipe Tshipe applauded  the Government for the establishment of BOTEPCO stating that it will go a long way in professionalising the teaching fraternity for the betterment of the  nation. Kgosi Tshipe commended BOTEPCO for its engagement with  Ntlo Ya Dikgosi which was elaborate and informative. He  urged fellow members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi to avail facilities in their various Dikgotla to allow for online registration of teachers as per the ideals of the digital transformation drive.

Botswana Teaching Professionals Council’s mission is to professionalise teaching by promoting the highest standards of professional conduct and practice to advance the attainment of Quality Education.