10 Mar 2019

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) Ms Bridget John says teachers have the control to bring change to overcome challenges within the education ministry as they play a pivotal role.

She was addressing a workshop in Francistown, which was attended by school heads representing 10 regions.

Ms John urged teachers to adhere to the ministry’s objectives and deliver what they promised the nation to fulfil one of the nation’s vision of having an educated and informed nation.

“The whole nation is pleading with us to make a difference,” Ms John highlighted as she emphasised the importance of understanding the learners’ attributes in order to yield good results and produce well-educated future leaders.

Ms John said she was aware of the situations faced by the ministry.

She acknowledged the teachers’ commitment and perseverance to administer teaching despite their worries.

Among the school heads and facilitators that attended the workshop was chairperson of school heads, Ms Gabalape Autlwetse, who voiced out the challenges that hampered productivity and possible solutions to the challenges.

Ms Autlwetse noted shortage of teachers, inadequate textbooks, vandalism, non-maintenance of buildings, shortage of staff accommodation, the need to re-examine the boarding teaching policy, result analysis and expenses of photocopying paper as some of the challenges.

“Among other issues that have been worrisome to the ministry for quite some time and has not been resolved is the request for teacher’s salary increment,” she said.

She requested that the ministry should consider paying teachers at a 26-day rate or 30 per cent committed allowance as compensation for overtime and a review of school calendar.

Addressing the challenges as raised by the school heads, Ms John said measures were to be put in place to resolve the issues mentioned.

She said the ministry would arrange frequent in-house training and team teaching as one of the measure to resolve their challenges and grievances.

“As school heads it is your responsibility to manage your teachers’ performances and foster a close relationships amongst regions to avoid learners suffering,” she said, adding that they should regularly visit classrooms to motivate the teachers as that would also give them confidence in their daily work.

She further sad parents should work hand in hand with teachers in disciplining learners to curb the issues of vandalism in schools.

Ms John promised to visit the 10 regions individually to identify their challenges and come up with solutions. ENDS