09 Jul 2017

Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) Secretary for Education, Research and Training Mr Moses Kandjou says as the educator’s trade union it is essential to direct the country to a knowledge based economy in which people are hungry for information and search for reliable one.

In an interview with BOPA at a recent two day research symposium held under the theme “Influencing Policy and Strengthening Advocacy through Trade Union Research”, Mr Kandjou said the symposium was held in an effort to aid and promote research in the union.

He stated that the intentions of the symposium was to instill the spirit of research among union members and Batswana in general, adding that the intention also was to make their members speak from an informed position.

Mr Kandjou said at advocacy level, the researches would also help their negotiators to speak from an informed position when on the table with the employer, as it would help convince those they negotiated with to the advantage of their membership.

He stated that the symposium set to motivate their members to become researchers, have a well-informed membership and have a bank for policy formulation.

“By extension, the symposium also marks the beginning of the celebrations to mark the 30^th anniversary of existence of BOFESETE/BOSETU as a worker’s organisation, as a progressive organisation for that matter,” he said, further adding that, that had done a lot to influence both the teaching fraternity and the nation at large.

Mr Kandjou said that the symposium helped BOSETU to identify passionate researchers who would assist in building its research and development desk further.

“It will further expose researchers to sponsors who may identify them and help them grow. It’s not all about BOSETU members but all the researchers to market themselves,” said Mr Kandjou.

He stated that papers from the symposium were up for public consumption and would help them as a union to give more informed and authentic advice to those engaged, at every level.

Mr Kandjou mentioned that the intention was to have similar platforms in the future, and as a renowned pacesetter in the trade union environment, while calling upon other trade unions to follow their steps and promote research.

“It is our dream to bring together young and seasoned researchers under one roof to help develop not only our members but Batswana in general in to “knowledge workers” Mr Kandjou said.  ENDS