21 Feb 2021

Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) general secretary, Mr Agang Gabana says the union views COVID-19 infection rates in schools as higher than in the community.

He said recent records had revealed that the virus had penetrated schools and posed a risk to both learners and teachers.

Mr Gabana said this in an interview after a meeting with BTU regional organisers to give them feedback on the union’s engagement with government and the COVID-19 task force in line with adherence to protocols.

He raised concern that the rate of transmission amongst schools was high, adding that some of their members were losing lives due to conditions related to the virus.

Mr Gabana said it was unfortunate as the relevant ministry and the task force had rejected their plea to close schools for 14 days in a bid to close the loopholes and rectify them.

 “But our view still remains that schools must be closed for 14 days because there are a lot of advantages and learners cannot lose much in learning,” he said.

BTU, he said, believed that during the temporary closure a lot could be achieved to ensure 100 per cent compliance in schools, but expressed disappointment that other stakeholders did not buy into the idea.

Mr Gabana pointed out that some surveys conducted had indicated that teachers and learners were more at risk. 

Although he acknowledged that teachers were regarded as frontline workers, he said discussions on risk allowance by the five cooperating unions and relevant authorities were ongoing.

Mr Gabana said teachers were not regarded as essential service providers but frontline workers although there were no benefits.

He said the employer had promised to provide surgical masks and that they were working on logistics to distribute them.

The secretary general cautioned members to take full responsibility for their lives as the virus had found its way into schools.

While advocacy was still in progress, he said they should always adhere to the protocols to fight the disease. Mr Gabana also highlighted that people should understand that violation of protocols was an offence and that they should respect regulations in place.

Mr Gabana said he wished government could revisit their plea, saying in order to produce quality results, they needed a healthy workforce which would contribute to a healthy economy.

BTU public relations officer, Mr Zweli Tupane concurred that coronavirus had penetrated the school environment, and that it was worrisome as there were no psycho-social support programmes.

He said school heads were champions of the programmes, but that it was unfortunate as they were also becoming victims. 

He stated that there should be a strong link between school heads and teachers during the trying times.

Mr Tupane also underscored the need for the Ministry of Basic Education to come up with sound policies during the COVID-19 era, citing initiatives such as shadow education.

 

He said in other countries the initiative was working as the ministry engaged unemployed teachers to provide tutorials to ensure continuity in the learning process. ENDS