School life
In a Botswana classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Africa · Country briefing
Botswana
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalGaborone
- Population~2.4 million
- Time zoneAfrica/Maputo (UTC +2)
- CurrencyBotswana pula (BWP)
Botswana, with Gaborone marked
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Climate in November: End of dry season or start of wet season; warm.
The capital
Gaborone
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Botswana a bit special.
Okavango Delta
A river that flows into a desert and disappears
Open lesson
Kalahari Desert
A vast red-sand desert full of surprising life
Open lesson
Tsodilo Hills
A rocky mountain covered with 4,500 ancient paintings
Open lesson
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The ghostly remains of an ancient supersize lake
Open lesson
African Wild Dog
One of Africa's most successful hunters - and a brilliant team player
Open lesson
Letlhafula Harvest Festival
A joyful celebration of crops, community and gratitude
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🐘
Chobe National Park
Home to the biggest elephant herds in Africa
Open lesson
- 🐘
African Elephant
The largest land animal on Earth - and Botswana has the most
Open lesson
- 🦓
Plains Zebra
Botswana's national animal - and every stripe is unique
Open lesson
- 🦡
Meerkat
A tiny desert lookout with a very important job
Open lesson
- 🦅
Kori Bustard
The heaviest bird in the world that can still fly
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!English
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹBotswana has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Botswana?
Choose Botswanawhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.