BOSETU, Mokoka clash again
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday October 7, 2025 06:02
Kgafela-Mokoka announced recently that the ministry is working on digitising education, which would involve monitoring and tracking educators during teaching and learning, as well as the environment in which they work. 'We are working on digitising education; therefore, that would mean sitting here and observing what's going on in schools, whether it's teaching or the environment, so that we know what is going on, and if it's kept clean,' Kgafela-Mokoka said.
Following her statements, BOSETU says it has not been consulted on this matter and unequivocally rejects any attempt to introduce digital tracking of teachers. In a statement issued on Sunday, the union said such a move undermines professional autonomy, erodes trust, and threatens the academic freedom essential to effective teaching and learning. 'As a legally recognised representative of educators, any policy or initiative that affects members’ working environment or conditions of service must involve the union through proper consultative processes. Implementing surveillance mechanisms without engaging the union is not only undemocratic but also unlawful and unacceptable,'
BOSETU said in a statement released on Sunday. The union further said teacher performance and accountability are already governed by established performance management systems under appropriate supervisory structures. 'Any deviation from this framework, especially without the involvement of organised labour, will be strongly resisted. BOSETU will not allow any measure that undermines due process or the principles of fair labour engagement,' the union added. The union said Minister Mokoka should redirect focus towards digitising the school curriculum to enhance access to quality education for all learners, rather than investing in the digital policing of educators under the guise of enforcing child-friendly schools. The statement said the union is increasingly concerned by a troubling trend in which the ministry prioritises the 'Child Welfare' aspect of its mandate whilst neglecting crucial issues of teacher welfare and the quality of education. Earlier this year, the teacher unions and the minister were at war about teacher-inflicted corporal punishment in schools.
This was after the minister was captured in a viral video saying a student from Selebi-Phikwe was beaten by five teachers, resulting in the learner being hospitalised, an incident which was denied by both BOSETU and Botswana Teachers Union (BTU). At the time, BOSETU secretary-general, Tobokani Rari, said the ministers' remarks have the potential to bring the teaching profession into disrepute and accused her of being on a mission 'to destroy the already fragile and limping Education ministry'. However, the union said in its statement that it would stand firm in defending the rights and dignity of its members.