MPs condemn Dow�s �negative attitude� towards teachers

Contributing to debates on the Botswana Examinations Council Amendment Bill 2015 presented by minister Unity Dow Tuesday, most MPs showed discomfort on the amendments and insertions made to Section 5 (1) and (2) of the BEC Act. The Bill proposes that the responsibility for invigilation or supervision of coursework or examination arising and relating to all examinable subjects offered in an examination centre shall remain the responsibility of the examination centre. The Bill also gives the employer (MoESD) the privilege to direct teachers in an examination centre to invigilate candidates sitting for examinations.

MP for Gaborone Central Phenyo Butale said that the MoESD has failed to negotiate with teachers before coming up with the Bill. He said that the teachers’ unions feel strongly that their concerns have not been given adequate attention before the Bill was drafted.