09 Jun 2015

Former ambassador, Ms Tebelelo Seretse, has commended teachers for addressing challenges that students face.

"It is this ingenuity and creativity that as teachers celebrate their day, we celebrate their multi-tasking and independence of the mind in the shaping of the child,” she said.

Ms Seretse, who is also former minister, was giving a key note address at this year’s Teachers Day celebrations in Gaborone on June 5.

The former minister said she was proud of teachers as they had managed to produce doctors, teachers, lawyers and presidents, among other professions, citing herself as a typical example of a teacher product.

"I want you to be happy today; all of us know your daily problems and the difficult times your schools are experiencing,” she said, adding that, despite such trials, teachers should be proud of producing well-rounded citizens like herself".

Ms Seretse said the dedication appealed to her as it reflected conditions, which applied in Botswana and also in the majority of African countries, adding that teachers were role models as they taught, guided, counseled, motivated, and multitasked students.

On corporal punishment to students she said it should be done by teachers and applied with love, not with hatred, and in such a manner that the child could be guided, not just for the sake of it.

In relation to Botswana rectifying the United Nations Children’s right, Ms Seretse said it was decided that corporal punishment shall continue and that she was adamant that it was done correctly.

She said, while there were negatives, the positivity was derived when they were recognized by the former students that they taught.

"There is nothing more gratifying than seeing students succeeding. There is no level of salary that can be measured for that because it cannot be calculated,” she pointed out. The former minister urged teachers to encourage parents to participate in contributing to the student’s learning process.

Ms Seretse commended unions saying it was acceptable for them to discuss issues concerning their teacher’s welfare with the employer, adding that even if she was not a representative of government, she hoped that as time went on, the unions would be perceived as development partners.

She added that the Chairperson of the labour advisory board had tolerance for unions.

The Principal Education Officer, Mr Boy Olekantse, said in future awards preparations shall be made more perfect and better. END