UB, Colleges of Education withhold students� results
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday May 9, 2014 14:53
The Trainers and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) also joined the fray and instructed its members and other lecturers not to participate in any processes of the colleges of education external examinations of 2014.
In a letter dated May 2, 2014 to the acting director of Department of Training and Development (DTD), Chabaesele Oaitse, TAWU secretary general Frizon Moyo notified that the failure to resolve the impasse on May 5, has left them with no option but to escalate the matter. Moyo stated that they have been inundated with reports of intimidation, threats and harassment from the colleges of education lecturers to which they call upon the director’s office to immediately intervene.
He said their members had advised that Oaitse’s office form a task team charged with the mandate of resolving the current external examinations impasse. “Your office undertook to submit a proposal followed by direct engagement with the Permanent Secretary [Ministry of Education and Skills Development] and subsequently thereafter call a meeting of the Task Team for the finalisation of the resolution of the current crisis,” said Moyo.
Moyo’s letter stated that the director’s office agreed with lecturers that while awaiting the resolution of the current crisis, lecturers would not be taking part in any processes of the external examinations, unless doing so voluntarily. “It has however, emerged that principals of colleges of education have with impunity defied your authority. In this regard they went against the spirit and purport of the concessions made by your office.
“The principals have issued letters to Heads of Departments and lecturers directing them to continue with the exercise. They also had the audacity to dictate dates and venues that were never the subject of discussion during the Task Team meeting.”
Also, said Moyo, to date, Oaitse’s office has never called a meeting of the Task Team as promised. “On account of the foregoing, it is our considered position that the principals’ actions are tantamount to harassment,” said Moyo.
He further said the delay in resolving the matter amicably shows the director’s office was being disingenuous and acting in bad faith.
“We, in the interest of labour peace request for your immediate intervention with the view to resolve this matter within 48 hours from the time of receipt of this letter.”
On the same day, Oaitse responded to TAWU.
“We would like to register with you our concern over the unduly strong language that you use to refer to issues that we are both aware are still at the discussion table, and for that matter directed at college and departmental management.
“We bring to your attention the fact that the proposal made by the Task Team on the setting and other aspects of college examinations and payments thereof was received and passed onto the executive for discussion only last week... Note that the matter of payment for setting of examinations is a new proposal and is still under discussion, and hence does not call for setting of an ultimatum,” wrote Oaitse.