Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Botswana (Ratification: 2000)

Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In response to its previous comments on the measures taken to improve access to free basic education, the Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report that learner retention initiatives, such as the Circles of Support Programme; Child-Friendly Schools; Parent-Child Communication Workshops; and the revival of Parent-Teacher Associations have been introduced in order to reduce drop-out rates and to create a supportive learning environment. The Government indicates that these interventions have contributed to significant improvements in school attendance and completion rates and have led to a decrease in drop-out rates. According to the Government’s information the total enrolment at the primary level in 2022 was 381,674 students, including 187,709 girls and 193,965 boys while the drop-out rate was 0.3 per cent, and the total enrolment at the secondary level was 192,151, including 99,896 girls and 92,255 boys while the drop-out rate was 1.3 per cent.

The Committee further notes from the National Report of 17 March 2023 submitted by the Government to the United Nations Human Rights Council (Report to the HRC) that within the mainstream education system, the gender parity at the pre-primary, primary, and secondary level stands at 0.96, 0.95 and 1.1 respectively. This Report to the HRC also indicates that within the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan, the number of primary schools increased from 756 to 758 between 2018 and 2022; the number of public primary schools offering reception class programme increased from 613 to 683 schools; six Satellite Schools were established in remotest areas; and review of the curriculum into outcome-based education was completed. (A/HRC/WG.6/43/BWA/1; paras 109, and 125–128). In addition, the Committee notes from the UNICEF Country Office Annual Report 2022 the various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development with the support of UNICEF, including the introduction of the Remediation and Enrichment Programme in 50 schools across Botswana to address low learning outcomes in primary and secondary schools. This programme is expected to benefit at least 60,000 learners and capacitate over 10,000 teachers with the necessary skills to support learning. The Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system and to ensure access to free basic education for all children by increasing school enrolment and completion rates at the primary and lower secondary levels and reducing school drop-out rates. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved, including updated statistical data on school enrolment and drop-out rates, disaggregated by age and gender.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs). Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through its Department of Social Protection, has taken several initiatives to ensure that vulnerable children, including orphans, have access to education, such as provisions for food, clothing, essential services and transportation to and from school. The department also works closely with the schools to monitor the academic progress of such children and provide additional support, where necessary. Moreover, through the Department of Labour and Social Security, efforts are being made to identify and assess vulnerable children and assist them with re-enrolment to school. According to the statistical information provided by the Government, in 2022, 24,811 OVCs, including 6,658 orphans, were attending primary schools and 27,902 OVCs including 7,424 orphans were attending secondary schools. The Government further indicates that it is in the process of finalizing a National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children to protect children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The Committee also observes that, in Botswana, according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2023, approximately 56,000 children aged between 0 to 17 years are orphans due to AIDS. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to ensure that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and OVCs are prevented from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, including through providing for their education. It requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken in this regard, including information on the adoption and implementation of the National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children and on the results achieved.

2. Children living and working in the streets. In response to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that in an effort to protect children in street situations, the Government has partnered with the Tsholofelong Trust, an NGO and involved in activities, including; removal of children from the streets and providing care and education; rehabilitation from substance use; reintegration in the mainstream family and social life; provision of psychosocial support to reduce the multiple risks associated with children living and working on the streets; as well as family empowerment interventions including economic empowerment, parenting skills and social support for vulnerable families. The Government also indicates that the National policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children will also cover the children living and working on the streets. Recalling that street children are at particular risk of becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue to take effective and time-bound measures to remove children from such situations and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results achieved in this respect, including within the framework of the National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.