18 Sep 2018

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Thato Kwerepe says reforming the education system must take into consideration the welfare of teachers.

Addressing teachers at Rakops on September 17, Mr Kwerepe said pertinent issues relating to teachers welfare must be addressed since teachers were the most important part in transforming the education sector.

Mr Kwerepe also appealed to teachers to introspect and commit to doing what they know best.

“I also agree with you that specialisation is important and will add value to our results,” he said.

Mr Kwerepe further urged teachers that despite multi-tasking and teaching subjects that they were not competent in, they must apply their knowledge and do their best, adding that the current education system trained them to teach any subject.

Mr Kwerepe also appealed to teachers to improve the poor results.

“Rakops JSS results are far from pleasing, we must identify the root cause of the poor performance,” he said.

Mr Kwerepe said despite the challenges currently affecting the education sector a teacher was always expected to  produce good results.

Mr Kwerepe said the introspection process must first focus on internal processes of the education system.

“We must first analyse our ingredients in the system before looking at external issues likely to affect our professional conduct,” he said.

Mr Kwerepe said despite challenges which included shortage of facilities, addressing pertinent welfare issues would motivate teachers to perform and improve the results.

“I believe learning can take place anyway, as long as it is delivered by a focused and happy soul. Let us revive our internal processes, we have abandoned what used to work for us,” he said.

Responding to comments from teachers, Mr Kwerepe concurred with them that in-service training must be intensified to empower and provide them with a platform to share experiences.

Ms Veronica Mmapatsi, a senior teacher at Etsile Primary School, said senior teachers at primary schools were demoralised as they were on the same scale with other teachers who were not given any other duties of responsibility.

Mr Khutsafalo Nkhisang, a design and technology teacher at Rakops JSS, also stated that they were exposed to health hazards as a result of the chemicals and machinery used in laboratories, adding that they were prone to injuries.

Mr Kwerepe said government was focused on producing well rounded pupils who were able to compete in the global world.

He said the introduction of reception classes was one of the strategies aimed at empowering children at a young age and identify their abilities.

He said reception classes were used to identify children’s capabilities and  that funds permitting, the education system would be transformed to empower children based on their capabilities.

On other issues, Mr Kwerepe said it was unhealthy for an employee to stay in one location for a long period.

Mr Kwerepe said some of the challenges haunting the education sector could be solved  internally.

“Some of your challenges are management issues such as transfers and promotions,” he said, adding they had been turned into burning issues demoralising teachers and contributing to poor performance. ENDS