In a landmark move for vocational education in Botswana, New Era College of Arts, Science and Technology has officially launched the Kago Scholarship Programme. This transformative Corporate Social Investment initiative reinforces the College’s position as a vital stakeholder in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and its mission to give back to the communities it serves.
The Scholarship program is implemented in partnership with the Office of the Member of Parliament of Gaborone Bonnington North and the Office of the Chief of Block 8 which reflects a community-driven approach to identifying and uplifting deserving beneficiaries.
Valued at over P250,000, the scholarship fully sponsors beneficiaries tuition fees for the Building and Construction Finishes Programme, equipping them with knowledge and skills in bricklaying, plastering, tiling, painting, and ceiling installation and design. These are pathways to self-reliance and meaningful participation in Botswana’s growing construction sector.
The launch ceremony was attended by key figures from the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, and the Department of Teacher Training, signaling the national importance of this initiative.
The keynote speaker, Kgosi Kenneth Thari of Block 8, delivered a stirring address on the power of inclusive development. He praised New Era College for its foresight, noting that strengthening TVET is the most direct route to strengthening livelihoods.
"Take this opportunity seriously," Kgosi Thari urged the beneficiaries. "The goal is not just to find a job, but to eventually start your own companies and become the employers of tomorrow."
The hands-on journey starts this Saturday, March 28th, as the first cohort begins their practical training in bricklaying. Over the next six months, these students will undergo a rigorous, industry-aligned immersion, emerging not just with a certificate, but with the competency to shape the future of Botswana’s construction sector.
Through the Kago Scholarship, New Era College continues to prove that it is not just an academic institution—it is a cornerstone of community growth and a champion for the vocational excellence the nation needs.