Crisis in education

| Tuesday October 5, 2010 00:00

Though it might have been politically expensive to outrightly oppose the suggestion of the opposition on 'free and compulsory' education, the government of the day amended the proposal, advocating for  parental participation in providing for educational trips, uniform and wood for cooking.

It seemed then that the Ministry of Education had something of an argument, long before the international economic recession of the type from which the world is now emerging.

It has to be said that whatever its failings, the government has paid keen attention to the education system and it tells in the national budget going as far back as Independence Day 44 years ago.Botswana is now faced with an unprecedented problem in which the government and the trade unions of teachers appear to be on one side of the line and parents and students on the opposite end.

Today's publication carries reports of:-* the attempt by government to accede to some of the pay demands that the teachers made in the prelude to the current crisis about the marking of examination papers.  A sizeable portion of schools - perhaps the majority  - have failed to deliver on the promise to the students that they will know their fate at the end of September* the trade unions have successfully absolved themselves of the responsibility to see to the good conduct of the examinations, seeking to make a more lucrative return from the job for their members, the teachers.

The apparent collapse of the examinations system can only be described as a crisis. It is made worse by the attempt of the Minister of Education, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi, to offer the nation a less than candid, honest and forthright account, which is expected of her following the near demise of administrative efficiency under Jacob Nkate.

The thought cannot be avoided that the minister is a little less than adequate at her new job. The average citizen's expectation is that all else can suffer, but not the systems of education and water supply.

It would seem that in this tussle between the unions and the government the students will suffer. It remains to be seen how much of pain these two are prepared to inflict on this country's future leaders before they can change their positions and renegotiate. 

We think both parties should go back to the negotiating table and find a solution.

                                                                  Today's thought

                                                              'Education is the key'

                                                                   - Lucky Dube