It has almost become an accepted rule that politicians, particularly those who falter at party primary elections or general elections, are gratuitously retrieved from the political side streets and appointed to the land boards. It must be stated at the outset that there is nothing wrong with politicians who are recruited into public institutions. They should not be discriminated against. What is disturbing is the manner in which the politicians are recruited into these institutions. Invariably, they are placed ahead of ordinary people, not on the strength of any skills or knowledge, but purely on account of their political connections.
This practice is not in consonance with the spirit of meritocracy and openness to which we subscribe. We are however heartened by the statement made by Lands and Housing Minister, Ramadeluka Seretse, that he would not want to see active politicians elected to serve on land boards. This is exactly what other people had been calling for, and if the minister were to implement what he preaches, it would go a long way to help restore faith in the system that has now been reduced into a political mle. In the same vein, we wish to commend the teachers' unions for having walked up to the plate to take up the challenge holistically. During the Teacher's Day festivities in Jwaneng, the Secretary General of Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Keorapetse Kgasa, lambasted teachers who play truant, behave in an unprofessional manner, and have sexual relations with their students. More often than not, the unions reduce their mandate to addressing working conditions, ignoring their obligation to rein in on their errant members.
The public looks at the profession as a whole. It will not ignore irresponsible teachers who are perceived as alcoholics rather than mentors of students. The public will not turn a blind eye to a teacher who pushes his or her personal errands at a time when they are expected to be teaching.
Teacher organisations, as custodians of the teaching profession, can ill afford to allow such undesirable elements within their midst.
What is required is for the profession, in the best interests of the teachers themselves, to come up with a self-regulatory system that would help to expunge the undesirable elements that tarnish the teachers' good name.
Today's Thought
