Unions Irked By Plans To Replace Temporary Teachers

Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday February 19, 2018 16:30

 

This has infuriated temporary teachers as well as trade unions that claim they were never consulted.

“We were told that thousands of interns would soon be placed in schools to assist where there is a shortage of teachers. This is ridiculous; some are posted in areas far from home. How do you survive on P1420 when you have many expenses? This will not in anyhow improve on the dwindling results, “ a source lamented.

Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Unions (BOSETU) publicity secretary Edwin Maitshoko said they were aware of the development but have not been informed formally.

“We have heard of that development. Nothing officially communicated and we will never accept that. It is totally wrong as temporary teachers were paid in accordance with their qualifications and internship allowance is too low. We cannot afford to have more demoralised teachers when results get poorer by the year,” he said.

Maitshoko said they were disappointed that while the ministry has been involving them in a number of issues, they failed to consult on the issue.

“There are vacancies for teachers in schools which should be filled by permanent teachers. Also class sizes are too large and there is need to build more classrooms and hire teachers,” he said.

Minister Unity Dow said it was not true and referred The Monitor to the ministry’s public relations officer Lebogang Nyadza. Nyadza however said she was aware that interns would be introduced to schools but not to replace temporary teachers.

She then did another referral, to the permanent, Grace Muzila. But the PS would not speak at the time of press stating that the rightly assigned individual for the exercise would only speak on the matter today (Monday).