Botswana launches Learning Passport to modernize education sector

GABORONE, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — Botswana on Wednesday launched the Learning Passport, an innovative online platform that aims to bridge the learning gap and transform the education sector in the southern African country.
Addressing delegates and students of Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School in the national capital of Gaborone, Douglas Letsholathebe, minister of education and skills development, said the program was developed by the ministry in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Microsoft to address the country’s challenges of lack of equitable access to education, particularly the use of information and communications technology as a platform for learning, especially in remote areas.
“The Botswana Learning Passport is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at providing accessible and quality education to all children and those in disadvantaged communities around the country,” said Letsholathebe.
According to Letsholathebe, the system can hold and provide content for all curriculum subjects, including e-library services, revision materials, and learner performance tracking. It will supplement traditional classroom learning and empower students to take charge of their education, allowing them to learn at their own pace and on their own time.
Joan Matji, UNICEF representative to Botswana and the Southern African Development Community, said the Learning Passport will help bridge the digital divide by providing equitable learning opportunities to all children, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic background.
“We recognize the importance of scaling up our activities, which will include cascading training to other school levels and developing more content for junior and primary schools. This will enable us to extend our impact and reach a broader population,” said Matji. ■