Absorb qualifying temporary teachers – BOSETU
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday January 21, 2026 06:00
This followed after a savingram allegedly issued by the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, circulated on social media, which claimed temporary teachers who have overstayed their one-year limit would no longer be engaged. The ministry then withdrew the savingram on Friday, emphasising that temporary teachers remain vital to teaching and learning. Permanent Secretary Akanyang Mmoi highlighted their key roles, including covering for educators on study or extended sick leave, supporting learners with special needs, and aiding school expansions whilst permanent posts are secured. Mmoi assured the public of the ministry's commitment to these educators.
'We will continue to recognise and evaluate the positive impact of temporary teachers in strengthening the education system,' the release stated. The ministry also pledged to rationalise resources for the permanent appointment of teachers.
However, BOSETU secretary-general Tobokani Rari says the ministry should address temporary teachers' issues holistically, which include absorbing them into permanent and pensionable positions. Rari says more than 75% of schools have outgrown their original establishments, with many doubling in size and creating permanent teaching needs that the government has failed to declare.
'These undeclared posts are the root cause of the proliferation of temporary teachers. BOSETU therefore demands the immediate declaration of these positions and the absorption of all qualifying temporary teachers into permanent and pensionable employment,' Rari said in a statement.
Rari stated that Section 13(2) of the Public Service Act No. 30 of 2008, which the ministry had referenced in the savingram, was intended to prevent exploitation and casualisation, not to justify the recycling of temporary employees.
'The continued practice of discarding experienced temporary teachers and replacing them with new ones is exploitative, undermines decent work, and violates the principles of the Botswana Decent Work Country Programme and relevant ILO conventions,' he added.
Rari said BOSETU strongly condemns the suspension of teacher engagement on the basis that they would exceed the one-year temporary teaching limit, saying it will severely disrupt curriculum delivery and compromise learner performance.
Furthermore, the veteran unionist called on BOSETU members to refuse workloads that exceed the limits set in the 2009 Establishment Register. He urged teachers to report to the union any attempts to coerce teachers into excessive workloads, saying BOSETU remains firmly committed to decent work and rejects all forms of precarious and exploitative employment.