Unions helpless on teacher-student love affairs

"We can only take action if the members violate the union constitution but when they violate the code of ethics of their profession, there is little that we can do," said the Botswana Secondary Teachers' Union (BOSETU) president, Eric Ditau.

"There is nothing we can do as unions except to talk to the teachers concerned and remind them of the code of ethics," he added. He said because of the prevalence of teacher-student/pupil sexual affairs, they have found it necessary to propose a professional body for teachers just like that of nurses to deal with the problem. "If a teacher does not adhere to the ethics of the profession, then action could be taken against him or her after disciplinary hearings. Such relationships (sexual) do not discredit the unions but discredit the profession."