Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has highlighted a series of reforms and incentive packages being implemented by government to strengthen the teaching profession and improve conditions for educators across the country.
Speaking at the Ministerial Session of the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities in Gaborone, Dr Apaak said government is prioritising teacher welfare while working to attract more educators to rural and underserved communities.
According to him, the interventions include paid study leave and the proposed “Teacher Dabre Programme,” which seeks to provide accommodation for teachers posted to remote areas where access to housing remains a challenge.
Dr Apaak stressed that the success of educational reforms depends heavily on motivated and well-trained teachers.
“We must continue to make the teacher central in the drive to educate our population,” he stated.
He also disclosed that government is addressing infrastructure challenges affecting the education sector, particularly in deprived communities.
The Deputy Minister noted that many teachers posted to rural areas travel long distances under difficult conditions, with some risking their lives crossing water bodies or navigating poor roads to reach schools.
Dr Apaak further announced that government is expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the basic school level through the rollout of “STEM boxes” containing practical learning materials assembled by local innovators.
Touching on social interventions, he revealed that more than 12 million sanitary pad packs were distributed to schoolgirls last year to help address period poverty.
He added that government has allocated GH¢292 million this year to sustain the programme.
Dr Apaak also disclosed that free tertiary education for persons with disabilities has already been implemented, with plans underway to extend free education and provide assistive devices to learners with special needs at all levels.
