25 Sep 2024

Employee unions tend to focus on acknowledging challenges rather than offering constructive solutions.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Bonolo Khumotaka made the observation at the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) Pitso for pre-primary and primary education in Francistown on September 20.

Ms Khumotaka said the primary role of employees of any organisation or institution was to offer solutions to the challenges the organisation faced. She indicated that the purpose of trade unions in any public organisation was to act as a bridge between the employer and employees in order to address the wellbeing and working conditions of the employees.

Ms Khumotaka expressed disappointment at the lack of scheduled meetings for engagement with BTU since her arrival at the ministry, urging the union to create a timetable for such meetings.

She called upon BTU leaders to be truthful in representing the union members. Ms Khumotaka stressed the importance of the Pitso for developing measurable strategies that could be implemented in a timely manner.

Ms Khumotaka stated that her ministry maintained an open door policy to address the challenges faced by both the ministry and its employees, aiming to transform the education sector into a flourishing one.

Ms Khumotaka said the Pre and Primary Education Pitso was a testament to the government’s commitment and dedication to being as inclusive as possible in engaging with all to solicit ideas of how to develop the education sector further.

“Stakeholders such as the Botswana Teachers Union have a documented history dating back to its formative days, to be precise, 1937. The contribution of the union in influencing the direction of policy formulation and legislative framework cannot go unnoticed,“ she stated.

 She pointed out that everyone in the education space should commit to the fact that “our education sector serves as the foundation for the country to flourish in all sectors of the economy”.

 “The success of every country depends on an excellent education system. Our hope at the ministry is that the thematic areas the union has identified as discussion topics are welcoming and raise fundamental issues that need to be discussed to contribute to improving the education sector,“ said Ms Khumotaka.

She explained that when she assumed her role at the ministry, she invited trade unions for a meet and greet session, intending to share the vision and goals of the ministry. 

“This was a demonstration of my commitment and that of the ministry, to bring everyone on board so to speak one language," she said.

She assured BTU that she would always be available for engagement on different issues and called on BTU members to exercise patience as the ministry continued deal with matters affecting teachers and learning.

BTU president, Mr Gotlamang Oitsile said the union was the only teacher labour movement that had for many years been building good working relations with the employer and contributed meaningfully to influence and direct policy formulation and legislation frameworks.

“Not only that, we developed members through leadership positions who went on to become Members of Parliament, councillors, ministers and presidents, among others. Proud as we were because of these achievements, we never looked back on our desire to build an education system that would shape the future of this great republic,” said Mr Oitsile. 

He said there was no way Botswana could build a 21st- century learner without infusing 21st-century teaching and learning into its system.

“This refers to a modern educational approach, strategies, and methods designed to align with the skills and demands of the contemporary world. 

“However, what is happening on the ground is the opposite of the objectives of the 21st-century learner and 21st-century teaching and learning,” he said, adding that shortage of educational materials and food, unhappy teachers, and unresolved labour relations issues with employers, were some of the issues hampering progress. 

“Whereas we appreciate government’s efforts in addressing the concerns we always raise, there is so much that needs to be done if we are serious about our public education,” he cautioned.

 Mr Oitsile said the teaching fraternity had hoped that the Mind-set Change campaign would be a wake-up call for everyone to yearn to see change in the way things were done. 

“Our response to the issues affecting teachers and challenges in the education sector reflects a poor mind-set. We are worried as the labour movement that the Sectorial Bargaining is yet to be convened to address the many challenges in education, particularly those that deal with welfare and working conditions for teachers,” he said. Ends