28 Jul 2016

Plans are afoot to transform BOCODOL into an open and distance learning university.

Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Fidelis Molao, announced this during his address to staff after touring Kanye Brigade and the education centre in Kanye on July 27.

He said the bill on the matter, which was on draft stage, was expected to be discussed during the current Parliament.

If given green light, Mr Molao said the proposed law would not only augment the number of employees on in-service training but would go a long way in providing an important learning platform for the entire civil service.

Until then, he urged staff to consider upgrading themselves. He assured those who would be able to pay for themselves that government would reimburse them upon completion of their studies.
He reminded staff that inspite of the lion share allocated to the education ministry annually, the ministry continued to experience deficit that forced it to solicit for supplementary funding.

On other issues, Assistant Minister Molao commended the south region for a number of initiatives geared towards turning around the education sector particularly poor results.

“Let me commend you for your selflessness and commitment to duty. You are volunteering your time and services,” he said.

He was hopeful other regions would emulate the south region and move from the bottom rung of the education ladder.

Thatwithstanding, Mr Molao complained about reluctance on the part of employees to serve part of the populace in remote areas; something he said was regrettable.
He said, however, that the situation had to change “because at the end of the day somebody has to provide the service in those areas.”

To try and deal with this challenge, Mr Molao stated the ministry had suggested to the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) to allow for the ministry to have some form of incentives such as giving employees already deployed in remote areas advantages in promotions.

This special dispensation, according to him, had been piloted and proven to be a success in areas in Kgalagadi and Okavango.
He said the leadership was open to further suggestion from staff so that a win-win situation could be arrived at.

Making their presentations, teachers and non-teaching staff decried shortage of accommodation, furniture and equipment and staff in their various work stations.
They also called on government to implement recommendations of the Revised National Policy on Education of 1994, saying it was long overdue.

They, however, expressed contentment in as far as progression and the zest with which reception classes had taken off the ground and embraced by stakeholders.
Kanye sub-region chief education officer, Ms Maipelo Kesenye said her region had received overwhelming support on the Adopt a School initiative.

She said companies, groups of people and individuals had come forth to take-up the initiative; something she said was more than likely to turn a new leaf and bolster performance especially students’ results.
South region director, Mr Acro Maseko appreciated feedback from staff and promised that  his team would work around the clock to address them.

Mr Maseko, however, issued a warning against some teachers whom he said had a tendency to object to transfers.
The tendency, he said, would be a thing of the past soon as he a regional transfer committee was established.

“Right here in Kanye, we have overstays of up to 33 years and this is not fair to others who have had to put up with tough conditions in remote areas,” he said. Ends