Teachers continue sports boycott

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Thursday November 25, 2010 00:00

 

The teachers made the resolution at the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) Annual General Meeting held in Gantsi on Tuesday.

BISA president, Steve Botlhasitse said while negotiations are on going between teachers' unions and the Ministry of Education on the issue, delegates feel that they are dragging.

The new Public Employment Act states that every civil servant should work eight hours. Employees who work beyond the hours or on weekends should be paid overtime. Teachers have been doing extra curricula activities on voluntary basis but now they demand payment. They contend that sports activities are not part of their job description hence they should be remunerated separately.

Botlhasitse said they cannot force teachers to participate in sports as they belong to unions who advise them on such matters. He said though teachers are justified in their action, it is students who suffer at the end of the day.

He added that BISA's mandate is to identify talent and now it means the organisation will be ineffective without sports activities at schools. BISA will therefore present recommendations to the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture; and Education before the end of the month on how teachers want to be paid.

In the elections held during the AGM, Botlhasitse retained his position unopposed. Joshua Gaotlhobogwe ousted vice president, Joseph Morebodi while Eagile Molelo is the new secretary general after beating Christopher Ramotsisi. Tebogo Segaise ousted Tapiwa Mokoka from the position of publicity secretary.

Christopher Chikwakwa is the new vice secretary general after beating Albinah Molwantwa. Michael Oreng retained his position as treasurer. Botlhasitse said the meeting discussed and finalised the strategic plan which is due to be availed to members.