01 Feb 2017

The Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has expressed concern about the size of classes or student-teacher ratio in public schools.

BOSETU secretary general, Mr Tobokani Rari, said during a press briefing on in Gaborone on Tuesday that the scenario was not conducive for teaching and learning.

He said in most public schools, classes were simmering at their tops with between 45-50 students, which prohibits smooth interaction between teachers and students.

He also said research had indicated that the less the students were in a classroom for teaching the more likely the teacher could individually interact with each one of them, to know their strengths and weaknesses.

On other issues, he said it was important that students be given opportunities where they could either pursue vocational educational or academic theoretical education.

He said the two –tier system of education would provide for dual pathways in which, during early years, talents and potentials are identified and students are channelled to the relevant persuasions and orientation.

“Private educational institutions remain unregulated and prices of education in such institutions are left to the market forces,” he said.

He further said BOSETU calls for a policy framework that would regulate the privatization and commercialization of the tertiary education.

For his part, president of BOSETU, Mr Kwenasebele Modukanele, said the union expected the Minister of Basic Education to table before Parliament the Botswana Teaching Council Bill.

He also said basic education ministry funding should be increased to better educational facilities and resources, adding that education was the key to unblock the gateways to a better future and reduction of poverty. BOPA