Educational Access, Participation and Retention of Basarwa in School: The Case of Western Kweneng, Botswana

Abstract

The study examined issues that affect the educational access, participation and retention of Basarwa in schools located in the remote areas of the Western Kweneng district of Botswana. The findings highlighted the fact that challenges to Basarwa education mainly derive from socio-cultural status and economic conditions. These contribute to their negative experience in school, which in turn affects their educational participation and retention. Moreover, the study found that Basarwa do value education, but tend to be disillusioned by the issues pertaining to the nature of the education and its mode of delivery, their negative experiences in th schools and hostels, as well as the high opportunity cost of education in relation to their livelihood.