Minister calls for teacher of monitoring body

PATRICIA MAGANU
Staff Writer | Friday June 6, 2008 00:00

Mokalake was speaking at the Botswana National Teachers Day commemorations held in Palapye at Kgaswe International English Medium School yesterday. Mokalake said that as with other professions like law, people who desire to be teachers should be monitored.

He was referring to the growing complaints of misconduct of some teachers such as affairs with students and embezzlement.

Concerns continue to be raised about unprofessional behaviour of some teachers in the education system. For instance, involvement by some teachers in love affairs with pupils or students, he said. The minister said that such conduct spoils the good name and image of the teaching profession and therefore it had to be addressed.

It would be remiss of me not implore teacher organizations to be vigilant and ensure that those teachers who bring the profession into disrepute through such misconduct are rebuked and made to realize that they do not belong to the teaching profession, he added. He further stated that the teaching organizations and the TSM should work out strategies for the establishment of a regulatory body that will monitor teachers before entry into the profession.

If a prospective teacher is found to capable of any of these inappropriate acts they should not be allowed anywhere near children, he stated.  

The minister also addressed the level of operations to the delight of teachers. He said that it has been clear that that there were different interpretations of levels of operation. He said in that regard, the ministry is determined to resolve this issue.

The ministry has decided to call a meeting at which all stakeholders will have an opportunity to exchange notes and openly debate the issue with a view of finding a lasting solution, he stated. He further said that it is the ministry's expectation that the relevant stakeholders will, when invited, come with workable and realistic suggestions to enrich the discussion and hopefully help resolve the matter.

Teachers also had their prayers answered about the placement of teacher's day on the first Thursday of every June. Teachers have always complained that after teachers' day they have to go to work the following morning. Mokalake told them that beginning next year Botswana Teachers Day will be held on the first Saturday in June instead of the first Thursday in June.

This arrangement falls in line with that of the Botswana Defense Force and that of the Botswana Police and the prison service as these institutions celebrate their days on Saturdays every year, he said. He stated that the decision to change to Saturday was arrived at following intensive consultations with all stakeholders, including the Teaching Service Consultative Committee.

Mokalake further addressed housing which has been an issue for teachers for years. He said that the ministry in collaboration with local government, as recommended by the Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE) will continue to address the problem of shortage of staff accommodation and classrooms, especially in the primary education sector.

I am informed that there are on going initiatives under local authorities regarding this matter, aimed at addressing this matter and at addressing the plight of primary schools, he stated.