The Vision (2016) and the Voice(s): Prospects for Indigenous Languages in Botswana

Abstract

Botswana's Vision 2016 (1997) – “Towards prosperity for all”, is at best an idealistic package that can make the Nation have sweet dreams of its future, and a vision of positive developments in languages teaching in schools. It utilizes such good statements as “an educated an informed Nation”; “a tolerant, just and caring nation”; “respect for linguistic and cultural diversity”; and above all, “a prosperous and innovative Nation”. However, in the current education blueprint, the 1994 Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE), it is clear that the pace in implementing linguistic and cultural policies to make Vision 2016 realistic in education has met with policy vacillation, hesitance and procrastination. This situation of confused adumbration has already caused some disquiet among minority languages groups, whose voices interests UNESCO and local NGOs. This paper will examine Vision 2016 and interpret it within the provisions of other policies such as the NDP 9 (2003), the Cultural Policy of 2002, and UNESCO ideals. It is hoped that the discussion will answer the question of whether there are prospects for the teaching of Botswana languages in schools by 2016.

Humanities Review Journal Vol. 5 2005: pp. 14-27