Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Career Corner

EDUCATION MENTORS NEEDED

 

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has introduced a school based mentorship programme that aims at improving results in schools across the country. The Ministry will enter into a partnership with retired teachers or any individuals willing to assist in improving the declining results in our schools and to maximize students` potential.

 

The schools are to register people interested in mentoring. Generally a mentor will be assigned to one student or a group of students and will meet with them frequently on an agreed time for at least a year on the school premises during working hours.

 

The aim of a mentor is to assist the student in developing and achieving his/her goals. Potential benefits for the students include high grades, fewer absences, career exploration, the caring, support and encouragement of a role model. For the mentor there is a challenge and satisfaction derived from helping students overcome their challenges. Mentors help students to benefit socially, emotionally and academically and this will lead ultimately to better-educated and more productive citizens. Just as the great Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.

 

WHAT IS A MENTOR

 

An education mentor is an individual who out of their own volition has chosen to serve as an advisor in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development on the provision of education in Botswana. A mentor helps a young person identify and develop his/her potential and shape his/her life. He/she encourages the mentee to use his/her strengths, follow dreams, and accept challenges.

 

Goals for Mentoring

 

• Promote retention of learners
• Support & guidance of learners
• Goal setting for learners
• Monitoring of learners work
• Improving the behaviors of learners in schools
• Support school based initiatives and programmes
• Promote drug and crime free behavior
• Creating a willingness to trust and accept responsibility
• Promote good attendance
• Improve academic performance

 

The Mentor

 

1. Should work with a group of students for at least 1 year. The school based mentoring operates in the school for an agreed period.
2. He/she must be caring and trustworthy.
3. There must be acceptance and respect between the mentor & mentee.
4. Identify resources to help mentee enhance personal development and career growth.
5. Help build bridges between different levels of schools (pre/primary/Junior Secondary School/Senior Secondary School/Tertiary level)
6. Strengthen links with community (active community partnerships).
7. Assist learners with career guidance.
8. Build positive relationship between staff, teachers, Parents Teachers Association, learners and other stakeholders to improve performance.

One of the major challenges in education is lack of parental involvement in their students` lives particularly in the semi-urban or rural areas. The Ministry of Education and Skills Development needs each and every one of us to contribute towards the education system for the betterment of future generations` livelihood and ultimately our beloved country. The sole responsibility of the students cannot be placed on the ministry and teachers only; we all need to put forward a helping hand.

As much as young people are moving away from rural areas to look for greener pastures in towns, this movement also disadvantages these underprivileged communities, as their skills set is lost to the cities. The hope is that after being educated we go back and contribute towards the development of our communities.

Volunteers are needed to mentor students across the 10 educational regions in the country. You might be a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, doctor, lawyer, architecture, accountant, teacher etc. or retired in your field and have plenty of time on your hands. This is your opportunity to contribute towards an improvement in primary and secondary students` education to ensure that they are better prepared for tertiary and ultimately the corporate and business world.

To graduates who are just at home doing nothing, this is an opportunity to also grow your skill set. You might have graduated specializing in Mathematics, Science, English or any subject area and thus volunteer towards this mentorship programme knowing very well that you are contributing towards your community growth and at the same time enhancing your skills which will boast your curriculum vitae. If interested, have free time to volunteer and need more information on this programme; please contact the nearest Regional Education Office near you.

Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who need help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.  For, remember, you don't live in a world all your own.  Your young brothers and sisters are here too.  ~Albert Schweitzer … LETS ENCOURAGE THE CULTURE OF VOLUNTARISM!!!

If you need any career advise, writing a CV or cover letter, developing effective interview skills, creating a comprehensive LinkedIn profile, building and managing an effective networking plan and understanding and presenting your authentic personal brand you can contact me at ccbotswana@gmail.com

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