The partnership, formalised through a Joint Work Plan, represents a significant step towards advancing quality education, teacher development and child welfare in Botswana. Speaking at the launch, acting UNICEF representative for Botswana, Dr Kimanzi Muthengi, highlighted that the investment in teacher development subscribes to UNICEF's principle of investing in environments that ensure all children exist in an ecosystem that is safe and protected.
A Partnership for Educational Transformation
The collaboration brings together two institutions with mutually aligned goals of inclusive education and quality teaching. BOTEPCO promotes continuous professional development, supporting UNICEF's mission to ensure every child realises their right to equitable, high-quality schooling. Additionally, BOTEPCO regulates professional and ethical standards for educators, aligning with UNICEF's vision that effective teachers are the core drivers of student success and educational transformation.
Dr Muthengi further highlighted that the investment in teacher development subscribed to UNICEF's principle of investing in environments that ensured all children existed in an ecosystem that was safe and protected.
"Schools are part of institutions and legal systems that must maintain high levels of staff suitability, safety and supervision of children. Through this initiative, we have intentionally invested in teacher development to ensure we produce care-takers with high integrity and are fit and proper to be custodians of children," Dr Muthengi said.
National Workshops Targeting 8,000 Teachers
BOTEPCO founding CEO and registrar, Dr Raphael Dingalo, said the funding would support a series of national outreach workshops targeting at least 8,000 teachers across Botswana's education system.
"We want to create professionals who are skilled to operate in a modern world by equipping them with knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology," Dr Dingalo said.
The workshops will cover a range of topics including teacher leadership, continuous professional development, and the integration of technology into teaching and learning. The focus on digital skills reflects the growing recognition that teachers must be equipped to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world and to prepare students for the digital economy.
A Model for Professional Development
The Botswana Teaching Professionals Council was established to regulate the teaching profession in Botswana, setting standards for entry into the profession, professional conduct and continuous professional development. The partnership with UNICEF represents a significant boost to the council's capacity to deliver on its mandate.
The initiative is expected to serve as a model for teacher professionalisation across the region. By investing in teacher development and creating a supportive environment for professional growth, Botswana is positioning itself to improve educational outcomes and prepare its students for the challenges of the 21st century.
With reporting from UNICEF Botswana and the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council.
