What shortage, BEC says but unionists are unconvinced
Baboki Kayawe | Tuesday October 17, 2017 12:57
In fact, the national examinations body says it has been flooded with applications from teachers expressing willingness to mark Form 5 scripts.
The letter, purportedly authored by one Reabetswe Koosenye from the BEC’s human resource department and addressed to school heads states in part: “following the advertisement and subsequent extension for 2017 marking, BEC is still experiencing shortages of examiners in most syllabuses” (sic). Further the letter says the BEC is aware that the first call for applications might not have reached other teachers interested in the marking exercise.
Yesterday, BEC communications manager, Fingile Makgalemele insisted that the examinations body is not facing any shortage of examiners. Rather, she said, they had received many applications for marking, although she could not immediately provide figures.
“The communication in question is one of the routine ones addressed to school heads wherein teachers are encouraged to apply in case they may have missed our advertisement. In addition, it is also meant to encourage school heads to pass on information to teachers so that we have a pool of applicants to choose from,” she said.
When contacted for comment, Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) publicity secretary Edwin Maitshoko said in their view teachers are not keen to mark due to remuneration issues.
“In our view the rates are not that attractive,” he said.
Last month, teacher unions and the BEC signed a recognition agreement allowing the parties to negotiate payment rates for marking and moderation of final national examinations. There is optimism among teacher unions and members that the forum would better rates and motivate teachers.