Teachers unions against non-disclosure declaration
Oarabile Mosikare | Tuesday May 24, 2016 11:27
The Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and the Botswana Sectors for Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) on May 4, 2016 wrote to their general membership concerning the non-disclosure of information declaration form.
The secretary generals of the two unions said: “This advice follows the letter that was written to the director DPSM by the two unions on 27th April 2016 requesting the director to withhold the implementation of the aforementioned form pending the engagement with the two teachers unions over the extent of information that teachers are prohibited to disclose.”
Tobokani Rari of BOSETU and BTU’s Ibo Kenosi said any development contrary to the position communicated by the correspondence would be relayed to the members at the earliest available opportunity. On March 29, 2016 the Permanent Secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi, released a circular savingram about the unauthorised disclosure of government information.
“Addressees are informed that in terms of the Public Service Act, No. 30 of 2008, unauthorised disclosure of confidential information constitutes an act of serious misconduct punishable through summary dismissal. Further, that the divulging or use of information or documents received in an official capacity for private purposes is prohibited, and could lead to criminal prosecution for the offence of Disobedience of Statutory Duty and/or other offences,” said Morupisi.
The PSP said all accounting officers are therefore required to ensure that by April 29, 2016 all employees would have received, completed and duly signed the DPSM Declaration Form 3. “All accounting officers should, with a view to mitigating the risk of leakage of confidential government information, put in place sufficient measures to ensure that access is restricted to authorised personnel and that the movement of official files is fully accounted for. Please ensure that this communication receives wider publicity.”