17 Aug 2022

The  Ministry of Education and Skills Development owes over P4 million as severance benefits for officers across the country, Assistant Minister Aubrey Lesaso has said.

He noted that the ministry currently employed 3 086 temporary teachers and 3 353 Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers in schools across the country. He said although his ministry was sourcing funds to pay severance benefits for temporary teachers and SHE officers, they would not be paid interest as per the financial procedures.

Mr Lesaso further noted that temporary teachers were supposed to be paid on the last day of the month.

“I am aware that the Employment Act states that the employee should not be paid later than the third day of the month, however, the salaries for temporary teachers are processed on the last day of every month and hence the delay. My ministry will continue to endeavour to process their salaries in the shortest time possible after the last day of the month to avoid inconvenience,” he said.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on the total number of temporary teachers and SHE officers in Botswana. 

He also asked him to state the total amount of severance benefits owed per sub region and what caused the delay in paying them as well as the reason why temporary teachers and SHE officers were paid monthly salaries late.

Additionally, the MP asked the minister if he was aware that the Employment Act stated that the employee should not be paid later than the 3^rd day of every month, and what the ministry was doing to remedy the situation. 

He further wanted to know if the delayed payment of severance benefits would be paid with interest, taking into consideration the erosion of purchasing power. Ends