01 Sep 2025

Government recognises that issues surrounding teachers’ salaries and conditions of service remain a significant concern.

Officially opening the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) in Palapye on August 29, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa emphasised that the government was aware of these challenges regarding teachers conditions of service.

He stated that the government acknowledged the reality of the situation and shared the view that educators must be treated with fairness and respect. He said that dialogue with the unions on the matter was ongoing and stated tha government was committed to engaging openly and with honesty for better results.

Additionally, Mr Mohwasa said  government continued to work on broader reforms such as digitalisation of classrooms, the modernisation of curriculum, the professionalisation of teaching through structures like Botswana Teaching Professionals Council (BOTEPCO) and the upgrading of infrastructure across basic and tertiary institutions.

Mr Mohwasa said revolutionising education was not an event but generational commitment and while progress might not move at the their desired pace, the ultimate goal was to deliver results. Further, he said government also recognised that quality education was the best rock of development and social justice and had committed to engaging trade unions in the social dialogue space.

Minister Mohwasa reiteraed that government was open to engaging  with trade unions. He called upon the teacher unions to meet with the Ministry of Child and Welfare and Basic Education management to discuss and come up with the recommendation on better ways to address issues of discipline in schools on or before the end of October 2025.

Mr Mohwasa said Botswana was experiencing economic constraints, driven primarily by the declining diamond sales. This slowdown, he said, had  compelled government to tighten the belt  as well as prioritising projects.

 BOSETU president,  Mr Winston Radikolo raised a concern about the frayed labour that characterises the organisations in the country. He said the state of labour relations at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) was deplorable, in the sense that the institution disregarded labour rights, intimidation of staff and unprofessionalism conduct by management. 

He however said that they acknowledged that by law the university was answerable to an independent board and senate emphasising that  leadership should ‘not abuse this’.  Mr Radikolo said the institution should mend relations with the union to protect students and staff.

He appealed to the minister to urgently intervene and bring relief to the workers because for inclusive education to be meaningful those who deliver it must not be pushed into destitution. Mr Radikolo commended the Minister of Higher Education for the well thought of initiative regarding TVET transformation saying it was a welcome development. However, he said it was important to ensure that workers welfare was not overlooked during the transformation process. ENDS