Teachers to meet minister

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 10, 2010 00:00

Speaking a day after the opening of Parliament, at the invitation of Venson-Moitoi, the President of the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Simon Mapolelo, said that they have always wanted the minister to call them for discussions on the exams. 'We never said we would never do the Botswana Examinations Council's work. If they are ready to dialogue with us to reach a compromise, then we are ready,' Mapolelo said.

He however raised the teachers' disappointment at the revelation by President Ian Khama that there was no crisis on the running of the external examinations.

'It is very clear that he was misinformed and we will let the Education Minister know our concern when we meet her tomorrow.

We were not expecting him to say that,' he said revealing that the teachers' unions are considering writing a letter requesting an appointment with the first citizen to tell their side of the story. President of the Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOSETU), Shandukani Hlabano, said that they would not speculate on what the minister wanted to talk about but they are optimistic that they will take decisions that are for the good of the country.

'The bone of contention now is how are the teachers going to mark these exams whose credibility is in doubt. I hope we will reach a compromise for the benefit of the country,' he said.

Venson-Moitoi confirmed the meeting but would not be drawn into discussing the agenda. 'We will be discussing matters of common interest.  I cannot discuss the agenda with the media before meeting the unionists,' she said.

She said it was time for her to meet and talk to the teachers union as the exams were drawing to a close.

'I am the first to admit that the examinations were written under challenging conditions for the students and it would have been insensitive to allow room for public muddling while the students were busy writing.

 The time is now to meet and dialogue with the unionists on matters of common interest,' she said. Venson-Moitoi will continue to brief the parliamentary caucus on the examinations issue and the BIUST after the Thursday meeting.