31 Jul 2017

Botswana Teachers Union has unveiled its 80 years anniversary celebrations to be held in December in Maun.

The main celebrations will be held in Gaborone while BTU will have mini celebrations in offices across the country.

Officiating and unveiling the raffle prizes, the director North West regional education officer (operations), Mr Galesenngwe Mohube encouraged BTU members to uphold quality education delivery as it was their mandate.

Mr Mohube said education was a unique product and has to be relevant to the masses in demand of it.

The BTU raffle launch comprised of winning a Ford Ranger as first prize, a Toyota Quest 2nd prize and P10 000 to the five runners up winners.

The BTU president, Mr Johannes Tshukudu said the 80 years anniversary was a milestone that all members should enjoy countrywide.

BTU, he said, was a force to reckon with as it prided itself as the founder of sports associations at primary and secondary schools.

He said BTU, which started as a staff association on tribal lines in 1937, was later turned into a union and gave precedence to all unions in the country.

Mr Tshukudu said BTU would continue to review its programmes to remain relevant and proactive to its members.

He said the union was widening its scope as new offices would open in places such Selebi Phikwe and Good Hope.

Mr Tshukudu said BTU had a retirement programme in the pipeline to help prepare its members for post-retirement life.

The National Executive Committee secretary general, Mr Agang Gabana said BTU was receiving new members.

He said the 80 years celebrations would capture all the milestones BTU had attained and recognise former employees who made it possible.

He said the raffle was not necessarily a fundraising exercise, but would benefit the lucky prize winners.

The raffle, he said, was licensed with the gambling authority and would have two winners monthly from August winning P500 prize towards the grand finale in December.

BTU, he said, realised that many teachers preferred farming post retirement, and herefore said a retirement package would be unveiled at the 80 years celebrations. The programme is hoped to assist retirees and prevent financial embarrassment as well as avoid members becoming paupers after retirement.

Mr Gabana said the union also aimed to assist members living with disabilities and other challenges.

He said another milestone would be a labour college which would be opened in Francistown as part of the 80 years celebrations.  ENDS