English medium schools close as fear mounts

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday May 18, 2011 00:00

Minister of Education, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi announced closure of all public schools with immediate effect.

'The schools shall remain closed until further notice. I had to take this measure to safeguard the security of students, staff and Government property in schools,' she said in a press release explaining that she closed the schools in accordance with the powers vested in her under Section 27 of the Education Act CAP. 58.01.  Information reaching Mmegi reveal that protesting students from public schools had vowed to remove private students from classrooms as they said, 'they are the children of those people who could have persuaded the minister not to close the schools. 

They do not feel the pain that we are feeling at not being taught and now being told to stay at home. Students wanted to pressurise private schools to close too.'

However, fearing for their children's safety some parents whose children are studying at English medium schools barred them from going to school yesterday morning.

It was later reported that most schools had closed until further notice as other parents responded with anger at the news. According to the chairperson of the Botswana Association of Private Schools, Stephen Sorinyana, the minister did not consult any stakeholder before closing the schools.

'She could have had meetings with the stakeholders such as the parents teachers associations, conference of heads of private schools, association of the private schools and others when she saw that the situation was getting out of control before closing down the schools,' Sorinyana said.

He added, 'we understand that there is a clause that she had to use to close the schools, but that clause does not stop her from consulting the stakeholders.' He said he was working on trying to get an appointment with Venson-Moitoi to find a better solution for the schools to open 'quickly.'  Schools have been closed indefinitely while the national public service strike continues with their demand of a 16 percent salary increment.