28 Feb 2021

Minister of Basic Education says all markers, including teachers, who are contracted by the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) for the marking exercise are paid a composite fee per script.

Responding to parliamentary question, Mr Fidelis Molao explained that the fee included allowances for local transport and accommodation, adding that they were, therefore, not paid a separate night out allowance.

Teachers, he said, who were contracted by BEC for the marking exercise, were not provided with accommodation. Mr Molao highlighted that BEC annually engaged individuals to take part in the examinations and assessment process, noting that while many of these individuals were teachers, there were also others who were not.

He pointed out that the individuals engaged by BEC were not engaged as employees of either BEC or the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) as teachers, adding that they were engaged as contractors (examiners). He further explained that they were not employees of the BEC and therefore, were not entitled to such benefits as night outs.

The MP for Takatokwane, Mr Friction Leuwe, had asked the minister to state if teachers who were engaged in marking examinations by BEC were paid for nights out and if not, why. He also asked the minister whether they were given accommodation and whether they would be paid the nights out since they were government employees. ENDS