Financing tertiary education under fiscal stress in Botswana

Financing tertiary education under fiscal stress in Botswana

Author: 
Botlhale, Emmanuel
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis
Date published: 
2015
Record type: 
Journal Title: 
Africa Education Review
Source: 
Africa Education Review, Vol. 12, Issue No. 4, 2015, pp. 647-663
Abstract: 

Developing countries place a high premium on education because it is believed to correlate with economic development. Similarly, Botswana adopted an education-for-development policy when it became independent in 1966. Providentially, it discovered and mined minerals, particularly diamonds, and funded education. Unfortunately, Botswana is a diamonds-led economy and suffered revenue losses due to the global economic crisis. Cutback budgeting became imperative and one of the questions that arose was; who should pay for tertiary education? While the government continues to fund it, calls for alternative financing models have arisen. While the call is legitimate in a resource-limited environment, this article argues that there is a need to interrogate the present financing model to improve it before embarking on new initiatives. Finally, while this case study is Botswana-specific, lessons can be drawn for resource- strained African countries. That is, it is vital to interrogate existing models before thinking of new ones.

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CITATION: Botlhale, Emmanuel. Financing tertiary education under fiscal stress in Botswana . : Taylor & Francis , 2015. Africa Education Review, Vol. 12, Issue No. 4, 2015, pp. 647-663 - Available at: https://library.au.int/financing-tertiary-education-under-fiscal-stress-botswana-1