Tension as teachers threaten to boycott marking
Baboki Kayawe | Wednesday November 1, 2017 14:59
This follows after teachers were asked to take care of their accommodation, meals and transport fares, as the council would only pay for such at the end of the marking exercise, under the new dispensation.
Consequently, marking did not proceed as planned. By yesterday, work was at a standstill as examiners who have descended upon Rainbow School, the marking venue, contested this decision.
A letter from the BEC stated, “Examiners will be responsible for their own accommodation, meals and transporting from lodging area to the marking venue”.
Adding to that, all payment pertaining to this exercise would be effected upon successful completion of the marking activity. Moreover, the communiqué stated that in the event that the contract is terminated the examiner would receive what is due to him or her.
In lieu of the subsistence allowances, the examination body has increased the rate of remuneration per script to amounts in the ranges of P20 to P24.78 per script.
Still, examiners view this as a ‘joke and deception’, arguing that mathematically, the payment in its bundled form, is lesser than what they could have gotten if the upkeep and accommodation allowances were paid separately. They also contest that it would be subject to tax, which further compounds the matter.
In addition, BEC said all examiners’ emoluments are subject to a 10% withholding tax, including fees and allowances.
“Some of us come from far-flung places and it is unfair to withhold subsistence allowances and ask that we fend for ourselves. It’s a huge inconvenience,” one teacher said.
The teaching community is therefore in an uproar and talk of a possible boycott of junior and senior secondary level marking has thickened.
One teacher said this is an opportune time to use their numbers to teach BEC a lesson.
“I think we must use our numbers and boycott marking under these bad conditions imposed by BEC. We should delay responding to, and signing contracts as well as notify union leaders to let BEC know that we won’t mark when it is very late so that they (BEC) come with alternative conditions that will be favourable,” one teacher lobbied.
BEC also threatened to terminate contracts on grounds that examiners disclosed details of the agreement to third parties, especially the media.
Meanwhile, a communiqué from teachers unions; Botswana Teachers Unions and Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union, says negotiations on the matter are ongoing. During the last meeting held on Monday, no conclusion was reached resulting in adjournment.
“The union is aware that BEC has already appointed examiners. BEC assured the union party that the appointed examiners have been informed of the conditions attached to their offers are subject to change depending on the outcome of the negotiations,” the communication stated.