Teachers paid P7.7m in overtime

Baboki Kayawe | Monday May 18, 2015 18:33

 

Teacher unions are expected to meet this week to map a way forward on a recent government announcement to the effect that funds have been secured to pay member’s overtime.

According to the communiqué from the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), signed by Nnosang Mhutsiwa, it states that the ministry had started compiling relevant information to pay all outstanding overtime by end of June.

In addition, money has been channelled to schools in order to boost their votes, and for overtime work to resume. This was subsequent to a consultative meeting held end of January.

Moreover, overtime votes have been sub-warranted to regions and schools to ensure that “their negotiations and engagements are based on funds within their votes.”

“Subsequent to this commitment, we wish to indicate that we have so far received 1,841 claims amounting to P7,728,395 and they have been processed, and submitted to the office of the Accountant General for payment by end of May 2015,” writes Mhutsiwa.  Mhutsiwa further reiterated that they would continue managing and paying overtime based on an agreement reached at the Public Service Bargaining Council.   

However, the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has said they are yet to meet with the executive council to discuss this development.

BOSETU spokesperson Solomon Batsietswe said they are meeting next week to evaluate the statement and its implications.

“The statement came this week, the executive council hasn’t yet met to map a way forward.  We need to discuss it because we have instances where schools have been given P120,000 in their votes.  And history has taught us that amount can cover overtime work for about two weeks. We need to unpack this, and understand what it means,” Batsietswe said.

He feared that this arrangement would lead to a situation where there are stacks of unpaid authorised overtime.