Independent Schools in Botswana

Gross enrolment overall: 71.6% (2008)

Primary female–male ratio: 0.97:1 (2009)

Secondary female–male ratio: 1.06:1 (2009)

Primary pupil–teacher ratio: 25:1 (2009)

Secondary pupil–teacher ratio: 14:1 (2008)

There are 12 years of school starting at age seven, comprising seven years of primary and five of secondary. The private sector provides about one-third of secondary places. Some 87% of pupils complete primary school (2005). The school year starts in January. The Brigades movement, now established throughout the Commonwealth, was founded in Serowe by Patrick van Rensburg to provide vocational training in skilled trades for early school-leavers.

There are a number of independent English-medium schools in Gaborone in Botswana. Schools include Maru-a-Pula School, Legae Academy and Westwood International School, and primary schools, Baobab, Broadhurst, Northside and Thornhill.