THE ROLE OF PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE PROVISION OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN BOTSWANA: LESSONS LEARNT FOR SUCCESS AND QUALITY

Botswana has a student enrolment of 38 000 in its tertiary education system which comprises one operating state university, one private university, five colleges of education, four technical colleges, and eight health institutes. The country has 14 privately owned higher education institutions - 13 colleges and one university - whose student enrolment constitutes 35% of the total tertiary student enrolment in the country. Unlike most African governments, the Botswana government sponsors students in private tertiary education institutions through payment of tuition fees, book fees, other fees, and a living allowance currently pegged at Botswana Pula 1400 (US$190) per month. The proliferation of these private higher education institutions most of them offering university education on their own or with external partners, operating as business models, has led to the development of some negative perceptions of low quality and profit maximization. Some of these institutions have grown considerably fast over the years, while others remain relatively less successful. This paper therefore explored the reasons why some of these institutions have fared considerably much better than others and the measures they have put in place to maintain quality, (focusing on Botho College) - fits that have endeared the college well with relevant stakeholders such as the government of Botswana, students, parents, and industry - which has made the government, through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, to send more students to this institution than to others. This vote of confidence by the government has contributed to the success of the institution's business model. It is through unquestionable quality programmes, teaching and learning, and the production of employable graduates that private higher education providers can contribute to the human resources growth and further economic development of Botswana.