12 Aug 2021

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja says there are 154 temporary teachers employed primary and secondary schools in the Okavango Constituency.

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Ms Makwinja explained that there were 82 and 72 temporary teachers in primary and secondary schools respectively.

She said of the 22 serving teachers in the four satellites 21 were on temporary employment terms.

“Satellite schools are an extension of existing primary schools, having been established as an initiative to reduce the walking distance to school for the youngest learners.

The schools were established without available teaching posts and it is for this reason that they are not currently staffed with permanent teachers,” she said.

She was however not aware of any temporary teacher employed continuously for a period exceeding 24 months.

She indicated that the maximum period of employment for any temporary employee, as per the Public Service Act, was 12 months and consequently temporary teachers were given shorter contracts in compliance.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had wanted to know the number of temporary teachers in the Okavango primary and secondary schools.

Mr Kapinga also wanted to know the number of temporary teachers deployed at satellite primary schools as opposed to those in the permanent and pensionable cadre as well as those employed for a period in excess of 24 months. ENDS