Sefhare secondary transfers

| Wednesday February 27, 2008 00:00

It is a very serious matter that must have been referred to the police service for further investigation so that the law can take its course.

There are clear suspects in this untidy saga. The affected teachers think that someone within the school management who did not like them must have initiated the fake transfer applications; they point accusing fingers at the School Head whose management style is described as autocratic. According to the teachers whoever initiated the transfers would not have succeeded without the assistance and collaboration of the Regional Education Office. Given the scenario it is quite possible that the Regional Education Office was aware that the application letters for transfers did not originate from the affected teachers. Both the School Head and the Regional Education Officer possibly colluded on the matter.

It is unimaginable that people who are charged with such positions of responsibility find it fit to forge signatures of junior teachers in order to trigger illegal transfers. The fact that school management has so far failed to respond to such allegations or shown serious concerns gives substance to these allegations. The Regional Education Officer has not responded either, although he is being implicated in what amounts to a criminal act.

The Teaching Service Management (TSM) has made it clear that under normal circumstances transfers are done upon request by TSM employees. Based on what has transpired so far it is clear that the transfers are of no force and should have been reversed. It is TSM that has the responsibility to investigate and take appropriate action. Under normal circumstances heads would roll. But alas, we are talking about TSM, an entity that also flouts public service long standing rules with impunity. Readers will recall the Tobane case where the junior secondary school there has been without a substantive school head whose salary is illegally paid by TSM for managing a private school in Shakawe, in the North West District.

What is even more shocking is the fact that even though the fake transfers possibly originated from the school head's office, in collaboration with the Regional Education Office, two of the transferred teachers have not been replaced as we speak. Two months into the school term and six weeks before the first term examinations, students are without Mathematics and Setswana teachers. Prior to the controversial transfers the same school head had informed parents that she was worried about the generally low performance of the 2008 Form 3 students compared to the previous group. It is ironic that the same school head possibly instigated the transfer of some of her experienced teachers. School management, in particular the school head, as well as the Regional Education Officer, must be held accountable in the event that the 2008 Form 3 results of Sefhare Secondary School turn out to be worse. Mr. Opelo Makhandela please save Sefhare Junior Secondary School!

Mongwegi Thebetshweu
Sefhare