Gaborone hosts first Africa Teaching and Regulatory Authorities conference
via Mmegi5 min read
The Botswana Teaching Professionals Council BOTEPCO hosted the inaugural Africa Teaching and Regulatory Authorities AFTRA conference in Gaborone, bringing together delegates from across the continent. The 13th AFTRA conference and 15th Roundtable, held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, focused on "Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession: Implications for Africa." The event emphasized strengthening education systems through shared expertise, innovation, and collective responsibility among teachers, exploring approaches like peer mentoring, team teaching, and professional learning communities. BOTEPCO Registrar, Dr. Raphael Dingalo, highlighted the honor of hosting the conference, attributing its success to strong partnerships. AFTRA President Ebby Mubanga noted that President Duma Gideon Boko was the first Head of State to officially open the conference, marking a significant milestone. Delegates from countries including Angola, Liberia, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, and Eswatini attended, alongside representatives from UNESCO and the African Union. Mubanga commended Botswana's rapid progress, given BOTEPCO's establishment in 2019, and urged African countries to strengthen legislative frameworks for the teaching profession. Minister of Basic Education Nono Kgafela reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening the education sector. President Boko described the summit a
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Botswana's Draft Media Bill of 2025 proposes the establishment of a Media Ombudsman to enhance journalistic accountability and safeguard public trust. This initiative aims to restore media credibility and improve relations between the media and the public, especially as nations confront issues like disinformation and misinformation. The proposed independent Office of the Media Ombudsman, operating under the Media Council, would receive complaints, mediate disputes between the public and the media, recommend remedies, and promote ethical journalism. Unlike the often expensive and slow court system, the Ombudsman is designed as an accessible, non-judicial mechanism for resolving media disputes. Historically, Botswana's media environment has relied on statutory regulation, self-regulation, and legal remedies like defamation litigation. However, individuals wronged by inaccurate reporting or ethical breaches often faced limited options: either complain directly to the media house without guaranteed satisfaction or pursue costly legal action. The proposed Ombudsman seeks to bridge this gap by providing an independent, impartial, and non-judicial body to resolve complaints regarding journalistic conduct and media content. The legislation specifies that the Ombudsman will operate free from external direction or control, which is crucial for maintaining public trust in the fairness of the process. The Ombudsman's primary responsibilities will include investigating complaints and medi
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