Mbizi initiative brings schools back

In the early 1980s, Botswana introduced community junior secondary schools to address the shortage of secondary schools. Initially, the schools were established to address the shortage of senior secondary schools, with community involvement in construction and operations through a Board of Governors. Over time, government, however, took full control, and community involvement seemingly dwindled.

Recently, there is a renewed interest in revitalising community participation and in the North East region, an initiative called Mbizi was introduced. Mbizi, a Kalanga word for ‘Molaletsa’, brings community members together to maintain schools. Using their own tools and skills, they cut trees, and undertake a variety of maintenance works including carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and painting; saving schools huge sums of money.

In 2023, at Batanani Junior Secondary School in Mapoka, the initiative saved P512 million, reducing the tendering price to P80,000. According to Dr Moses Mpuchane, regional Parents Teachers Association chairperson for the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education’s North East region, Mbizi was the answer to the often exorbitant maintenance bills. He noted that the initiative reduced costs by over 80 per cent, which was commendable.