MoBE blames students for shortage of books

The Ministry of Basic Education is blaming students for the shortage of books in schools throughout the country.

Assistant Minister, Nnaniki Makwinja told parliament that Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central Tumisang MangwegapeHealy should be aware that her ministry is challenged to provide adequate text books in schools and shall continue to prioritise the budget to address this issue.

Further, she said that the three secondary schools ( in Gaborone) have dedicated libraries. Primary schools have not been provided with library infrastructure but rather use a corner of a classroom as a rudimentary library. The utility of all these facilities is restricted by available books and resources.

Makwinja then shifted the blame. “Shortage of textbooks is a national issue and reflects the poor return on borrowed books by completing secondary school learners and the budget constraint that my ministry is under”. She said this is however, exacerbated by the fact that her ministry has prescribed in some cases up to six text books for one subject for example and some teachers order new books in search of specific titles when other resources are available to them to use.

Mangwegape- Healy had asked the Minister of Basic Education: to address the lack of resources within schools located in the capital city of Botswana, Gaborone City, if he is aware of the lack of library facilities and/ or well- resourced libraries in schools within the Gaborone Central Constituency; why do all schools lack basic resources such as textbooks; and if he is aware that parents are expected to photocopy entire textbooks regardless of their financial capability or limited access to printing facilities.

In response Makwinja said there are four primary schools, two junior secondary schools and one senior secondary school within the Gaborone Central Constituency.

These schools are resourced with desks, chairs, textbooks and staff, she said. Primary Schools are resourced by Gaborone City Council with regard to furniture whereas staff and textbooks fall under the mandate of the ministry.

Makwinja said these schools are generally well staffed, but most have shortages of desks, chairs and textbooks. The impact of furniture shortages have been minimised with schools using shifting timetables as a result of COVID- 19. She said with the new pathways subjects “learners will now be given mobile devices to search for information for themselves and we will see a move away from these prescriptions”.

Makwinja concluded that it is true that parents play a pivotal role in the education of their children. As such it cannot be disputed that schools do seek assistance from parents where need arises, but “I am not aware of parents reproducing entire books.

“My ministry has recently provided an industrial copier at Gaborone Senior Secondary School for the use of schools within the Gaborone Central Constituency.”