e. Provision of boarding facilities and transportation to and from boarding schools for children from RADS to increase their access to education. f. Provision of transport to children with special needs to and from school to ensure increased participation in education. g. Provision of sponsorship for children with special needs to access programmes that are currently not offered in the country; h. Provision of psycho-social and basic needs (food basket, school uniforms and stationery) to orphans and vulnerable children including those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. i. Implementation of a school feeding programme, to cater for all children, including those from poor economic backgrounds, with the aim of increasing access to education and creating a friendly school environment. j. Implementation of the pregnancy policy to ensure that children who drop out of school due to pregnancy are able to continue with their education following confinement. k. Mainstreaming gender into educational policies, programmes and projects to ensure provision of gender sensitive education programmes. l. Establishment of Centres for children with severe multiple disabilities. m. In 2011, the Botswana Educational Television was officially launched to enrich secondary school curriculum. Currently, programmes being broadcast focus on secondary school level. The long-term plan is to establish a dedicated educational channel. n. Early Childhood Learning has been introduced as an integral part of the formal education system. Access to Tertiary Education/ Tertiary Education Funding The Government of Botswana offers sponsorships42 covering tuition and subsistence allowance to students in Local Public Tertiary Institutions, Local Private Tertiary Institutions registered by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) and also accredited external institutions (regional and international). 42 These are in the form of loans, full or partial grants depending on the course of study. 61 | P a g e