11 Jun 2014

Teachers have been commended for moulding the future of the nation through coaching and mentoring of future leaders.



Speaking at the 16^th Botswana teachers’ day commemoration in Kasane on June 6, the acting Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD),  Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi emphasised that a teacher was not someone who only taught academics in the classroom.


“You are a counsellor, a parent and a guide who helps the students in all spheres of life, thus building responsible citizens,” he said, acknowledging the complex roles that teachers played.



The acting minister highlighted that the day was celebrated as a tribute to the invaluable contributions made by teachers to the nation at large. 

“You will not be thanked immediately, or at all, but it is days like these that we would like to say thank you,” Mr Masisi said.



He thanked them for their time, discipline, selflessness, commitment and dedication and the repository of good virtues. 

“All of us here today, will agree that we are what we are because of a teacher,” he noted. 



He added that they were celebrating their special contributions in the different communities in which they work, imparting knowledge and skills needed to develop and grow the nation.



Mr Masisi said the theme for the day, “Teacher unity for global technological changes of the 21^st century: A foundation for quality education,” was in line with the ministry’s drive of embracing technological advancement and quality education.


Furthermore, the acting minister noted that teachers had persevered in spite of challenges that surrounded the education fraternity, which remained to be addressed such as high student-teacher ratios, lack of resources, limited maintenance of facilities and overstays, especially in both remote and urban areas, among others. 


He highlighted that the ministry had encountered cases of indiscipline in schools from both staff and students, which resulted in 50 employees getting dismissed, 21 currently on suspension and 16 students getting dismissed for gross misconduct.



While this wass unfortunate, Mr Masisi added that he hoped it would be a thing of the past and noted that some considerable achievements had been made in addressing major concerns in his ministry.



These, he noted, included cordial and professional communication between the ministry and recognised teacher unions, introduction of levels of operations in the teaching service, which he added cost close to P1 billion and increase in teacher accommodation through procurement by the ministry and construction of houses in various localities. 



He also highlighted that in addition to these, about 3 000 teachers were currently undergoing training in different areas amounting to more than P160 million. 

Mr Masisi however encouraged teachers to invest in their personal growth and enroll for refresher courses through distance learning where possible. 



At the celebrations, 104 teachers received awards in the following categories: meritorial service, long service, silver jubilee and mid-career service. 



In congratulating the recipients, the acting minister urged them to maintain their admirable spirit of hard work and dedication and professionalism. 

“Your tireless work does not go unnoticed; we acknowledge and applaud you for that,” he said.

Meanwhile Neo Masanako reports from Hukuntsi that the deputy chief executive officer of Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Mr Cosmas Moapare said there was a significant advancement in technology that had affected teaching, communication and modern life.


Addressing teachers during the Kgalagadi regional teachers day celebration in Hukuntsi, Mr Moapare said that technological changes in the educational industry created new ways to teach and learn.


He said teachers have to adopt new technological ways of teaching while students on the other hand have to embrace new styles of learning.
“Technological changes allow teachers to access information on a global scale through internet and students can use the vast resources to enrich their learning experience,” he said.


He however said the downside of the internet was that it could be abused and not used for learning and teaching purposes.
 Mr Moapare said in the 21^st century learning shifted towards the recognition of competencies, which was a result of global trends and demands of employers.
He urged teachers to engage students fully so that they were aware of their environment in pursuit of their objectives and must guide them accordingly. ENDS