28 Feb 2017

Minister of Basic Education, Dr Unity Dow has informed Parliament that she was not aware of any shortage of teachers at Manxotae Primary School.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday from MP for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga, Minister Dow said plans were underway to absorb some temporary teachers from April 2017.

She said all temporary teachers had the necessary qualifications to deliver in the classroom and generally show a high level of commitment.

“All four junior secondary schools in the Nata/Gweta constituency have photocopiers, although two are currently not functioning,” she said.

Dr Dow noted that there was shortage of stationery, but her office had budgeted for those issues to be addressed during the 2017/18 financial year.

The minister told the House that Nata Senior Secondary School was relatively a new school and did not have overstayed staff.

“There are three teachers who have overstayed in Manxotae Primary School, one of which is on transfer to Selebi Phikwe, while others will be assisted during the next annual transfer cycle,” she said.

Nata/Gweta MP had asked the minister if she was aware that there was shortage of teachers at Manxotae Primary School.

MP Majaga also wanted to know when temporary teachers would be replaced with permanent teachers since staff shortage problem had been going on for some years.

He further asked whether that did not contribute to the poor performance of the school.

In addition, MP Majaga had asked the minister if she was aware of stationery and absence of photocopying machines in all the junior secondary schools in the Nata/Gweta constituency.

Mr Majaga wanted to know when the problem of overstaying of teachers in some Nata/Gweta schools would be addressed. ENDS