Exams must go ahead

There is every likelihood that this year's external examinations will be administered under very difficult and trying circumstances unless good sense prevails. As it is, we do not know who is going to invigilate examinations. Teacher organisations have vowed that their members will not invigilate examinations under the current working conditions and there are allegations that BEC intends to drag the few expatriate teachers to the examinations halls to do all the invigilation if local teachers carry out their boycott threat.

The teachers' unions have been bolstered in their position by a judgement of the High Court, which effectively states that invigilation of external examinations is not part of the teachers' responsibilities. This follows a standoff between teachers and the Botswana Examinations Council over improved working conditions and remuneration for invigilation of examinations.