The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Richard Tabulawa, has acknowledged that the centralisation of career fairs in urban areas disadvantages students from remote regions by severely restricting their ability to attend.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the 2026 Botswana Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) annual Career Clinic in Maun this week, Professor Tabulawa regretted that this norm hinders students particularly those from deep rural areas from choosing their careers wisely.
The primary purpose of these fairs is to engage and prepare learners to make meaningful career choices as they exit senior secondary school. However, learners from districts such as Okavango, Ghanzi, and Chobe continue to face significant hurdles, mainly due to financial constraints and long travel distances.
Some students from villages including Gudigwa and Gani traveled to Maun for this year’s event at significant personal expense, while many others were unable to attend at all. The students lamented that they faced prohibitive transportation costs and complex logistical challenges.
Professor Tabulawa acknowledged the limitations of centralized fairs, emphasising that it is unfair for students to travel such long distances to access these services. He assured that his ministry, together with the HRDC, has committed to reaching out to these areas in the future, specifically highlighting Shakawe, Seronga, Tsabong, Hukuntsi, Ghanzi, and Chobe.
Director of HRDC, Dr. Dabona Nthebolang, concurred, stating that institutions will be deployed to these regions to provide vital information on study opportunities and sponsorship. He stressed that expanding the fair’s reach will be a priority, with plans to take the program directly to remote districts.
Meanwhile, Professor Tabulawa urged students to carefully consider their career paths and make informed decisions, as the government continues to align education with national development priorities. He emphasised choosing careers that align with both personal abilities and the needs of the economy.
He encouraged learners to fully utilise platforms like the HRDC fair to gain insight into different fields before committing to a specific path. Making informed decisions now, he noted, is essential for long-term professional success and national growth.
In recent years, the fair has placed an increasing focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The government views TVET as critical for addressing youth unemployment and promoting economic diversification by equipping young people with practical skills that respond to labor market demands.
The annual event organised by the HRDC has become one of the country’s leading platforms for career guidance. It brings together universities, colleges, training institutions, and industry players, providing learners the opportunity to explore study options and interact directly with professionals.
