26 Jul 2017

Parliament has been informed that the Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) does not pay extra marking fees to its lecturers, but instead pays a marking allowance based on the agreements with its partners who own the franchise programme offered by BAC

Answering a question in Parliament from Specially Elected MP Mr Mephato Reatile,  tertiary education, research, science and technology assistant minister, Mr Fidelis Molao said the payment was with respect to four key areas which included examination, coursework, moderation and examination as well as teaching and learning.

The rates for such areas varied in terms of the task and also the level of the programme. 

On the other hand, he said all academic staff were eligible for the marking allowance provided they marked scripts in line with arrangements between the BAC and its partners. 

He noted that the expenditure levels pertaining to the marking allowance for the past three years was P4 606 233.45.

Meanwhile, Mr Molao said the University of Botswana and Botswana University of Science and Technology did not pay extra marking fees to its academic staff also. 

He said it should be appreciated that conditions of service were not standardised, but varied from institution to institution depending on programmes offered and the nature of operation and delivery.

He said for instance, BAC paid marking allowance for franchised programmes only in line with what had been agreed with the institutions that owned such programmes. 

Similarly, the University of Botswana paid lecturers for some functions outside their core work. 

Such included writing modules, teaching, moderating and marking for the Centre of Continuing Education (CCE) as well as teaching courses mounted by special centres such as Centre for Specialisation in Public Administration and Management (CESPAM). ENDS