Better late than never

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday September 9, 2015 14:03

Even though it is coming just a month before the start of the national examinations, it is commendable that all parties were able to seal a deal, as the nation could not afford a repeat of the 2010 debacle.

In that year, non-teachers were engaged to administer national examinations and reports of late commencement of exams, disrespect for rules and process during exams and others, were rife.

The results were ultimately released very late to the extent that students’ transition process to their next level was also delayed. All this happened because government and unions could not agree as to how teachers would be engaged to run the exams.

We have experienced this before and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development must avoid repeating this mistake at all costs.

Even as this Monday’s deal was struck, there had already been some negative effects on learners.  In the preceding weeks, teachers’ unions had been advising their members not to submit coursework marks, as no agreement existed between the two parties.  This had dire implications for learners as teachers stopped supervision of practical subjects, in addition to withholding marks.

If as a nation we really are truly serious about transforming the education sector and improving the ever-declining exam results, it is critical that the administration of national examinations is given due diligence.

It is reported that talks between the two sides were delayed as the legality of the negotiation forum was questioned.  Honestly, the 2015 national exams did not spring up by surprise.  All these concerns should have been dealt with earlier this year in order to create enough room for the discussion of invigilation and coursework rates without the pressure of looming deadlines.

In as much as the employer and the unions may differ from time to time, it is essential that the learners do not suffer or their future used as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

These annual negotiations have in fact become an enemy in education, so there is need for a long-term strategy.  The process must adequately and fairly balance the interests of all parties, who include the learners and this country’s future, which lies in the performance of our education sector.

It must also not reverse the gains made since 2011, which followed Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi’s ruling that invigilation and coursework are non-teaching duties and needed to be administered by the Botswana Examinations Council.

Teacher unions and management of the education ministry have to bear in mind that if simple matters such as these cannot be reached timely, what can we hope from bigger issues such as mismatch between the curriculum and industry needs?

Today’s thought

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

 

- John Dewey