Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Botswana, basic education is governed by the 1966 Education Act, as amended in 2003. The Ministry of Basic Education (MOBE) is responsible for primary and secondary education and oversees both state and non-state schools, including policy formulation, sector planning, and evaluation. Governance is gradually decentralised to regional directorates and local education authorities, which manage operations such as funding, regulation, registration, and quality assurance. Infrastructure development at the pre-primary and primary levels falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
The flow of funding begins with the approval of the national budget by Parliament. Once approved, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development directs funds to the relevant ministries and government agencies. For primary and secondary education, funds are directed to the Ministry of Basic Education, which allocates the recurrent budgets to its departments, regional offices, and autonomous institutions, who ultimately direct funds to schools. For primary education-related infrastructure, furniture, stationery, and feeding programmes, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development channels funds through District Councils, which are responsible for procurement and maintenance. Schools are primarily financed through domestic public resources allocated through the annual national budget.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The Ministry of Basic Education’s budget allocates funding to subnational governments for the delivery of basic education. These transfers are determined based on available resources and identified needs during the national budget planning process. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has traditionally overseen the construction, maintenance, and operation of pre-primary and primary schools, utilising funds transferred from the central government through local authorities. While most education policy and major financial decisions remain centralised, regional and district offices manage a portion of the education budget, particularly for operational costs and non-teaching or support staff.
Currently, there does not appear to be a formal mechanism to consider equity when allocating funds to subnational governments. However, the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP) 2015–20 identifies the development of an equitable finance model as one of the Ministry’s priorities.
2. Education resources to schools
There is no specific, nationwide initiative or policy that exclusively targets disadvantaged schools. Resource allocation is primarily determined by national and district-level planning, with the Ministry of Basic Education and, for primary schools, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, responsible for distributing most funds. As noted above, the development of an equitable finance model is among the Ministry’s current priorities.
3. Education resources to students and families
No information was found on this topic.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Programme
Since 1999, the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Programme has been providing cash transfers, food baskets, and other forms of support to children identified as orphans or highly vulnerable due to poverty, HIV/AIDS, or family instability. The programme aims to ensure that children can attend and remain in school by reducing the economic burden on their households. The OVC Programme is managed by the Department of Social Protection under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
5. School meal programmes
School Feeding Programme
Botswana operates a School Feeding Programme as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Health. The school feeding initiative is fully funded by the central government and appears as a specific line item in the national budget. The central government is responsible for purchasing dry and non-perishable foods, while district councils and schools help procure perishable items such as bread. These are often sourced from local farmers, supporting community livelihoods and generating local employment, particularly for women. The programme reaches all students in Grades 1-7, who receive a full meal daily. In rural areas and regions with a higher concentration of children in vulnerable situations, a second meal is provided. The programme includes elements of nutrition through the involvement of five nutritionists and training for cooks in nutrition and menu planning.
