Debate in parliament on 'exam crisis'

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday November 29, 2010 00:00

 

In debating the motion Leader of Opposition, Botsalo Ntuane reminded the House that the opposition is in existence to ensure that the government delivers on its mandate. He pointed an accusing finger at the ministry as being responsible for the examination crisis. Ntuane said the examinations were so scandalous that they call for a commission of inquiry. 

He described the education situation as a metaphor for acceptance of deteriorating standards. 'Are we prepared to compromise standards for the sake of political expediency,' he questioned rhetorically.

'We need an impartial independent body because it is Mmolotsi's word against Venson's.  We need investigations that have hallmarks of impartiality and independence.'

'We consider this to be an issue of governance. Would we consider ourselves as a model of good governance or poor governance?' he asked. 

Ntuane said the facts presented by Mmolotsi paint a picture of a disastrous examination. In his view, there has never been such a disastrous examination in the history of this country. He said the examinations have far reaching implications for those who are involved. He sees exams as a matter of life and death. 'We can't treat this issue lightly.'

Ntuane called for a commission of inquiry that will gather input from the teachers' trade unions and other stakeholders. He said they do not have confidence in the minister investigating herself. 'We believe this is a preserve for a commission of inquiry. Do you know how much goodwill you will generate from the public by instituting an investigation? It will demonstrate to the public that there is nothing to hide.'

Ntuane said the minister has been displaying lack of impartiality. He said the minister has always been given a slot on radio and television but the same courtesy was not extended to the unions. He said the unions were not given a platform although they are stakeholders.

Ntuane wondered why the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) was set up if the exams were to be marked in Cambridge, London. He said it would be hilarious if the exams were to be marked in Cambridge. 'Why was BEC set up in the first place?  As a country we felt we should localise the examination marking process,' he said. 'We are in this mess because the minister did not act timeously.' In his view, Mmolotsi has done justice to the motion. The MP for Lobatse, Nehemiah Modubule said in the past teachers were doing a good job of invigilating and marking, until BEC came into the picture. He said teachers had a legitimate expectation that when BEC took over they would continue with the job. Modubule said if BEC had made it clear that it would recruit its own invigilators, this would not have been an issue with teachers.

The Lobatse legislator said it seems BEC had an ulterior motive because the organisation abandoned the negotiations with teachers' unions. He said this is what has caused the crisis. When one of the MPs remarked that he was not a teacher, Modubule shrugged him off; 'you can't wish to be a teacher because of the way teachers are treated.'

Modubule said they are not saying any of the parties is correct. He said this is why they are calling for a commission of inquiry. He named a number of schools where a number of students were not able to write certain subjects. He added that at another school the head teacher turned a student away for not wearing shoes.

Modubule blamed the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and BEC for creating chaos.  He said when BEC was established it should have been made clear that they were not going to engage teachers for invigilating.

Modubule said the mover of the motion did not say the commission should be instituted immediately. He said they could wait until the marking has taken place. Modubule was responding to the ruling party MPs who were arguing that a commission could not be instituted because the whole process was not complete.