Homeschooling in Botswana.

Learning has now taken a new turn as it is not dependent on a classroom setting. What if a school was right in your own home? You may have your own ideas about what home-schooling is like, but it’s time for a new perspective! Home schooling in Botswana is back and more relevant than ever. With the aid of The British International Curriculum (Cambridge), Home-schooling can be done in the most efficient way with adherence to the rule of law.

Why Home-schooling with The Cambridge International Curriculum?

Your kid gets a real-life, hands-on lesson with individualized instruction, followed by a flexible time frame to work on a class presentation. Learners get consistent feedback from their teacher on their progress, and their grades will be shooting through the roof!

Overview of Homeschooling in Botswana

Botswana is a country that has undergone tremendous changes in education. Every Motswana is entitled to a free but not compulsory basic education where each child must learn in Setswana in elementary levels and later English.

Gaborone is currently chocked by overcrowded classrooms. It automatically puts into question the quality of education that learners receive however free. Every parent is obliged to give their children quality education to make them meaningful citizens.

The British International Curriculum has sort to save the future of every Motswana child. Homeschooling is a legally recognized and viable choice in Botswana. The British International Curriculum fully recognizes the education policy in Botswana and is committed to help the government achieve the education goals. Who would not want the best for her child? Why leave your child sink into a crowded class when you can have the school at home?

Homeschooling has already been in Botswana for some time where parents hire tutors who administer learning using the 7.3.2 Curriculum but it has not found a very happy landing due to the following key challenges:

1. significant socio-economic disparities, particularly in rural areas where high poverty rates prevail. A study by Makwinja (2022) revealed that in Botswana, poverty poses challenges for families sending their children to school, and some children are forced to work as maids, farm hands, or babysitters to support their families instead of attending
2. The education budget in Botswana is disproportionately focused on tertiary education. It results in limited resources allocated to pre-primary and primary education (Mokibelo, 2022). This imbalance poses a significant challenge to the delivery of quality education, particularly at the early stages of learning. Despite the recognition of the

importance of education and skills development in Botswana’s Vision 2036, the budgetary prioritization hinders the necessary investments in pre-primary and primary education, leading to educational inequality and a lack of adequate support for early childhood development (Mokibelo, 2022).

–      According to a UNICEF report in Botswana in 2022, only 43% of children between the ages of 4-5 have access to early learning opportunities, indicating limited participation in early childhood education. Furthermore, approximately one-third of children struggle to acquire basic literacy skills after 4–5 years of primary education.

3. Poor quality education. As there is evidence of low pass rates at the junior and senior secondary levels (Suping, 2022) in Botswana. Currently, the teaching approach in Botswana remains predominantly traditional, with students passively listening to teachers and taking notes (Makwinja, 2022). There is limited emphasis on critical thinking and active student engagement.
4. Overcrowding in class. Botswana faces the significant challenge of overcrowded classrooms and inadequate infrastructure, especially in rural areas, which hinders the delivery of quality The lack of suitable structures, overcrowding, and shortage of classrooms contribute to uneven teacher-student ratios and impede individualized instruction and high-quality learning experiences. These infrastructure constraints also limit access to technology and educational resources, exacerbating the existing challenges.

Reasons to Choose Homeschooling in Botswana

Flexibility- The flexibility of homeschooling is one of the advantages that Cambridge international students benefit from regardless of the varied reasons why they may be homeschooling. As well as choosing where their learning takes place, homeschooled children can also decide when to learn. There are no set lessons to attend, our students can study at a pace suitable for them, spending longer on topics that they find harder so that they really understand the concepts or speeding up on areas they find easier.

Extra options – At British international curriculum, our flexible learning is ideal for those children who wish to supplement their studies while attending a traditional school. Your child may require additional support in a particular subject, they may be advanced in their academic abilities and wish to learn in greater depth, or they may simply want to study a subject not offered at their school. Homeschooling elite athletes with Cambridge international means, these children are able to travel to sporting events and compete at a high level without falling behind in their studies.

Anxiety and school phobia- At Cambridge international, we support many students who have experienced school phobia. Our Learning Support Manager has supported a number of children who have had negative experiences at school and is always on hand to provide help and advice. In particular, we offer a range of services including Mentoring and Special Educational Needs support to help to overcome the issues faced by your child.

It is time to fully switch to doing Homeschooling with the British International Curriculum. The learners will be exposed to an internationally recognized curriculum, a worldwide perspective and a wide range of opportunities. The curriculum has been successfully implemented over decades in South Africa and the outcomes have been great.

 I need to do Home-Schooling with British International Curriculum in Botswana, which options are in place for me?

There are a number of approaches that Cambridge International has put in place to ensure that no limitation deters your child from accessing quality customized learning.

You Might be busy at work and your child is getting enriched through:

Online classes. The British International Curriculum offers Homeschool learning virtually. Your learner is able to interact with your tutor of choice through an online platform that is meant to offer a seamless learning session with a real-time feedback. This is a good option for the parent who cannot manage to stay at home with his / her child due to work limitations. It is no different from one on one experience with the tutor. As for practical lessons, the Cambridge administration always has a modern working laboratory near you where all the learners will interact physically relating the theoretical framework to the real life situations.

Hiring a tutor. If you need a special tutor for your child, worry no more. The British International Curriculum management has well trained and vast experienced tutors near you. The tutors are well versed in the International Curriculum in their various areas of specialization. You only need to contact the management, ask for the specific area in which you need your child to

be trimmed and all will be sorted for you. Don’t worry about cost, there is always a plan for everyone, we are all focused on giving the child a lifetime investment.

Joining The Local Homeschooling Groups. In every Locality, The British International Curriculum is organized in a way such that, learners are grouped according to their areas of specialization and put under one identified facility that has been properly equipped to meet the learner’s expectations and learning requirements. This is a good option for the parent that believes in socialization in learning.

Studying Independently. You can work from home, you desire to take part in your child’s growth, you believe in yourself that your can transfer knowledge to a learner, take this option and Cambridge international will give you the lead.

As a parent who believes in yourself in giving proper pedagogical experience to your child, The Cambridge international Curriculum has learning resources available for you. The resources are easy for you to read, comprehend and transfer the knowledge to the learners easily. The main requirement for this option is your time and the proper teaching competency.

Enroll in a local learning center. The Cambridge administration has a structured set up that will always suit you. To the parent who believes in having your child in a structured set up without having to look for the tutor yourself, you do not have the time to engage your child or even wonder how you can do it yourself, this is the best option for you. The Cambridge international has a registered institution near you. You only need to inquire from any Cambridge international office near you.

Collaborative teaching. Every average child has specialized approaches that perhaps you cannot meet as parent nor can the tutor do. Some of our children are academically able but they cannot learn comfortably without us. Others fall under the special need category. Do not shy off from taking your child to class with you. Collaborative teaching is a section fully provided for and funded by the Cambridge international Curriculum. There are special teachers trained to give specialized learning experience to your child. The Cambridge international accommodates our learners with special needs. Your presence in class while your child learns increases his/her Confidence, improves the quality of teaching given to the learner and besides all other options, in this one you get real time feedback.

Getting Started with Homeschooling in Botswana with the Cambridge system: Are you ready to start this promising journey of incorporating the Cambridge curriculum in your kid future education, worry less, begin this way:

1. Research and Planning: Thoroughly research the Cambridge curriculum available resources and different homeschooling Create a learning plan outlining your goals, curriculum choices and assessment methods.

2. Curriculum Selection: Choose the appropriate Cambridge program for your child’s age and academic level. Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary provide a clear progression, culminating in IGCSEs and A-Levels.
3. Resource Gathering: Acquire textbooks, workbooks and online resources. Explore supplementary materials like educational games, documentaries, and field trips to enrich
4. Creating a Learning Environment: Designate a dedicated learning space with minimal distractions. Ensure access to computers, internet connectivity, and a well-stocked
5. Establish a Routine: Set a consistent daily or weekly schedule that includes structured learning time, breaks and extracurricular activities. Flexibility is key, but routine helps with focus and productivity.
6. Assessment and Evaluation: Utilize the assessment tools provided by Cambridge or develop your Track your child’s progress, identify areas needing more attention and adjust your teaching strategies accordingly.
7. Connect with other Homeschoolers: Join online forums or local homeschooling groups to share experiences, resources and support. This community can provide valuable insights and social interaction for both parents and children.

Challenges and Considerations

Socialization: Engage your child in extracurricular activities, community events and homeschooling groups to facilitate social interaction and development.

Time commitment, Be prepared to dedicate time for planning, teaching and facilitating learning. Resource access: While the Cambridge curriculum offers comprehensive resources, accessing them in Botswana may require online orders and international shipping.Staying motivated: Maintain motivation and enthusiasm by celebrating achievements, incorporating varied learning activities and connecting with other homeschoolers for support.

Remember to stay adaptable, embrace the challenges and enjoy the flexibility and personalized learning that homeschooling provides.