13 Jul 2016

 The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs (MLHA) admits that most teachers in local private schools are expatriates.

“There are currently 986 Batswana teachers employed in private schools against a total of 3 283 expatriate teachers. 

This translates to 23 per cent citizens and 77 per cent expatriates,” health minister Ms Dorcas Makgato told Parliament on Tuesday, speaking on behalf of labour and home affairs minister Mr Edwin Batshu.

She said the situation is an improvement from the status in February 2016 when there were 768 Batswana teaching in private schools against 3116 expatriate teachers.

She said locals are encouraged to apply for teaching posts advertised by private schools, while permits are now issued for short periods on condition that posts held by expatriates would be localised.

“My ministry conducts regular labour inspections in private companies including private schools. 

However, the limited number of inspectors makes it difficult to cover all workplaces within a reasonable time,” Ms Makgato said.

Gabane- Mmankgodi MP Major General Pius Mokgware had asked whether the ministry was aware that most teachers in private schools from primary to tertiary are expatriates. 

He wanted to know what the ministry was doing to address the situation.  ENDS