A European Union education expert is assisting the University of Botswana to revise and redevelop its degree programmes to be in line with 21st Century trends.
Professor Roy du Pré, the European Union University Teacher Development Advisor at UB, has been working with the Faculty of Education since May 2017 to help turn around its degree programmes so that they are “Outcome-Based” and comply with the National Credit and Qualification Framework of the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA).
Professor du Pré is based in South Africa and has been involved in the establishment of the BQA, HRDC and other similar bodies in Southern Africa, Europe and the United Kingdom. He said in an interview that after assisting HRDC, BQA, and BEC; he was asked to help UB revise, redevelop and change its degree programmes, especially in teacher training, to close the gap between education and industry.
He revealed that the EU had funded the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to the amount of P1,2 Billion to transform the country’s education system to be outcome-based, student-centered, skills- oriented, and ensure that the youth are prepared for the “world of work” .
Professor du Pré said since the Ministry was of the view that such transformation must be expanded to teacher training programmes, they had to revise programmes offered at UB as well, which was undertaken in the latter part of last year. When his time at UB drew to an end in December 2017, other faculties felt they should also be assisted to revise their programmes, hence the extension by another three months to help with the transition.
He said he was also working with a number of UB staff so that by the time he goes back to South Africa in April there are sufficient personnel to continue with the transformation process. He advised UB to utilise such skills to ensure the changes are sustained, and to shorten the approval process of programmes to keep up with the fast-changing environment.