REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
BOTSWANA GENERAL CERTIFICATE
OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
TEACHING SYLLABUS
MATHEMATICS
Ministry of Education
Department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation
, FOREWORD
Critical to the success of our secondary
education programme is the recognition of
The Ministry of Education is pleased to individual talents, needs and learning styles.
authorise the publication of this senior Hence, the role of the teacher in the classroom
secondary syllabus which marks a watershed in has changed. S/he must be a proficient
the development of the public education manager and facilitator; a director of learning
system in Botswana and signals another activities. S/he should be conscious of
milestone of progress in fulfilment of the goals students’ needs to take on board a measure of
set by the Revised National Policy on accountability and responsibility for their own
Education, Government Paper No. 2 of 1994. learning. S/he must also take into account the
widening range of ability of the student body
In this era of widespread and rapid and the different levels of achievement which
technological change and an increasingly inter- they aspire to. This means active participation
dependent global economy, it is essential that for all and the creation of rich and diverse
all countries foster human resources by learning environments.
preparing children adequately for their future.
Survival in the coming millennium will depend It is important then that we value the students’
on the ability to accommodate change and to own experiences, build upon what they know
adapt to environmental needs and emerging and reward them for positive achievement. At
socio-economic trends. It is the wish of the same time, we must be prepared to offer
government to prepare Batswana for future them guidance and counselling at all levels;
growth and adaptation to ongoing change in assisting them to make the best decisions in
the socio-economic context; specifically the keeping with their own interests, career
transition from an agro-based economy to the prospects and preferences. In that way we shall
more broadly based industrial economy which prevail in nurturing at the roots of our system,
we are aiming at. the national ideals of democracy, development,
self-reliance, unity and social harmony.
The senior secondary programme builds on the
Ten Year Basic Education programme and This syllabus document is the outcome of a
seeks to provide quality learning experiences. great deal of professional consultation and
It aims to prepare our students for the world of collaboration. On behalf of the Ministry, I
work, further education and lifelong learning. wish to record my appreciation and thank
However, secondary education must also pay sincerely those who contributed to and were
attention to the all round development of the involved in the production of this syllabus.
individual. It should provide not only for the
acquisition of those skills needed for
economic, scientific and technological
advancement. It should also provide for the P. T. Ramatsui
development of cultural and national identity Permanent Secretary
and the inculcation of attitudes and values Ministry of Education
which nurture respect for one’s self and for
others.
ii
, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Curriculum Development Division wishes to acknowledge and pass its sincere gratitude to all colleagues
from - University of Botswana; Examination, Research and Testing Division; Department of Non-Formal
Education; Department of Secondary Education; Department of Primary Education; Department of Teacher
Training and Development; who in their own special way have collaborated and contributed in the planning,
development and production of this syllabus.
Special gratitude is give to the following members of the Senior Secondary Mathematics Task force for their
invaluable commitment, dedication and contributions to the development of the syllabus.
P Chakalisa (Dr) - Chairperson Department of Mathematics and Science Education - UB
O Pitso Department of Curriculum Development & Evaluation
O Setlhare Examination, Research and Testing Division
D Morake Examination, Research and Testing Division
S B Barungwi Department of Teacher Training & Development
B Radipotsane Department of Secondary Department
B K Ramolefhe Department of Non-Formal Education
J Deurwaardeur Tonota College of Education
B Raboijane Lobatse Senior Secondary School
M Mokakapadi Madiba Senior Secondary School
S M Mooketsi Francistown Senior Secondary School
C J Setlhong St Joseph’s College
W Motswagole Mosele-wa-pula Community Junior Secondary School
M Thuto Faculty of Science - UB
The quality of this syllabus would not have been possible without invaluable contributions of Senior Secondary
Mathematics teachers who participated in various consultative meetings held across the country in their own
capacity and representatives of their schools and their regions - To them we say thank you, le ka moso bagaetsho!
BOTSWANA GENERAL CERTIFICATE
OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
TEACHING SYLLABUS
MATHEMATICS
Ministry of Education
Department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation
, FOREWORD
Critical to the success of our secondary
education programme is the recognition of
The Ministry of Education is pleased to individual talents, needs and learning styles.
authorise the publication of this senior Hence, the role of the teacher in the classroom
secondary syllabus which marks a watershed in has changed. S/he must be a proficient
the development of the public education manager and facilitator; a director of learning
system in Botswana and signals another activities. S/he should be conscious of
milestone of progress in fulfilment of the goals students’ needs to take on board a measure of
set by the Revised National Policy on accountability and responsibility for their own
Education, Government Paper No. 2 of 1994. learning. S/he must also take into account the
widening range of ability of the student body
In this era of widespread and rapid and the different levels of achievement which
technological change and an increasingly inter- they aspire to. This means active participation
dependent global economy, it is essential that for all and the creation of rich and diverse
all countries foster human resources by learning environments.
preparing children adequately for their future.
Survival in the coming millennium will depend It is important then that we value the students’
on the ability to accommodate change and to own experiences, build upon what they know
adapt to environmental needs and emerging and reward them for positive achievement. At
socio-economic trends. It is the wish of the same time, we must be prepared to offer
government to prepare Batswana for future them guidance and counselling at all levels;
growth and adaptation to ongoing change in assisting them to make the best decisions in
the socio-economic context; specifically the keeping with their own interests, career
transition from an agro-based economy to the prospects and preferences. In that way we shall
more broadly based industrial economy which prevail in nurturing at the roots of our system,
we are aiming at. the national ideals of democracy, development,
self-reliance, unity and social harmony.
The senior secondary programme builds on the
Ten Year Basic Education programme and This syllabus document is the outcome of a
seeks to provide quality learning experiences. great deal of professional consultation and
It aims to prepare our students for the world of collaboration. On behalf of the Ministry, I
work, further education and lifelong learning. wish to record my appreciation and thank
However, secondary education must also pay sincerely those who contributed to and were
attention to the all round development of the involved in the production of this syllabus.
individual. It should provide not only for the
acquisition of those skills needed for
economic, scientific and technological
advancement. It should also provide for the P. T. Ramatsui
development of cultural and national identity Permanent Secretary
and the inculcation of attitudes and values Ministry of Education
which nurture respect for one’s self and for
others.
ii
, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Curriculum Development Division wishes to acknowledge and pass its sincere gratitude to all colleagues
from - University of Botswana; Examination, Research and Testing Division; Department of Non-Formal
Education; Department of Secondary Education; Department of Primary Education; Department of Teacher
Training and Development; who in their own special way have collaborated and contributed in the planning,
development and production of this syllabus.
Special gratitude is give to the following members of the Senior Secondary Mathematics Task force for their
invaluable commitment, dedication and contributions to the development of the syllabus.
P Chakalisa (Dr) - Chairperson Department of Mathematics and Science Education - UB
O Pitso Department of Curriculum Development & Evaluation
O Setlhare Examination, Research and Testing Division
D Morake Examination, Research and Testing Division
S B Barungwi Department of Teacher Training & Development
B Radipotsane Department of Secondary Department
B K Ramolefhe Department of Non-Formal Education
J Deurwaardeur Tonota College of Education
B Raboijane Lobatse Senior Secondary School
M Mokakapadi Madiba Senior Secondary School
S M Mooketsi Francistown Senior Secondary School
C J Setlhong St Joseph’s College
W Motswagole Mosele-wa-pula Community Junior Secondary School
M Thuto Faculty of Science - UB
The quality of this syllabus would not have been possible without invaluable contributions of Senior Secondary
Mathematics teachers who participated in various consultative meetings held across the country in their own
capacity and representatives of their schools and their regions - To them we say thank you, le ka moso bagaetsho!
