How Botswana Guarantees Free Education for All Children

Original Story Published by: Jessica Iredale, www.naturaldiamonds.com
Photo Source: Molly SJ Lowe

(Above) Lily James with Livingstone House Primary School students and teacher Emily Mompe.

When Botswana gained its independence from Britain in 1966, it was the third poorest country in the world. It had minimal infrastructure, very few paved roads and almost a complete void of formal education. At the time, Botswana had only 22 university graduates and 100 secondary school graduates. The country’s founding president, Sir Seretse Khama made it his mission to build a government with strict anti-corruption practices and an ambitious economic development program centered around the country’s resources of beef, copper and diamonds.

Under Khama’s leadership, Botswana had the fastest growing economy in the world from 1960 to 1980, primarily driven by mining. He made sure the revenues were reinvested into Botswana’s economy, expanding infrastructure, healthcare and education. Botswana now has the highest GDP per capita in all of continental Africa. The diamond industry accounts for 40 percent of the country’s GDP and 90 percent of its exports. Every child in Botswana is guaranteed a free primary and secondary school education subsidized by the government.

Botswana’s diamond industry has made education a top priority in conjunction with the government. All diamond mining operates under a licensing agreement with the government in which 80 percent of diamond-related revenues are put back into the country’s economy. Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the government of Botswana, runs four primary schools surrounding the Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mining communities and mining revenues help fund more than 300 other schools in the country. Tuition for children of mine employees is generously subsidized. The Natural Diamond Council’s Global Ambassador Lily James witnessed the impact first-hand during a recent trip to Botswana, which included a stop at the The Livingstone House Primary School.