BTU PRE PRIMARY HELD ( 26
Last weekend, Botswana Teachers Union held the Pre- Primary and Primary Sector Conference in Palapye. The sector conference is held annually and is used to deliberate on various issues relating to the governing of the Pre- Primary and Primary Sector. Among the key agenda items that are discussed at the conference are reports on the overall progress of the sector, dialogue on the challenges faced by members of the union at their. Recommendations on how the sector should be run are also made at the conference.
The theme of the conference was, ‘ Overcoming Pre and Primary Sector Challenges in the Midst of the Covid- 19 pandemic’.
The major highlight of the conference was a sector report delivered by Cde Tjalebgwa Bakang Bagwasi who is the vice president for the pre- primary sector. He said that the relationship between the union and the employer ( government) has not been smooth has not been smooth since the outbreak of Covid- 19.
According to him the government continues to disregard laid down processes of engagement by making pronouncements and decisions that affect teachers without engaging the union. He explained that union - cials to alert them about the importance of engaging the union when it wants to take decisions on issues affecting the teachers. He warned that the union will take the legal route if the government continue not engag
ing trade unions taking decisions on issues that teachers. In addition, one of then challenges that are faced by teachers according to Bagwasi is the delay incessing transfers of teachers both volunt and involuntary. He said so far union has engaged the government concerns relating to the transfer of He was hopeful that the issue will resolved timely. He added that a transfer policy will soon be implemented, some which he said will smooth- en transfer process. “The transfer policy also at a discussion stage with government after the union went around country consulting with teachers,” said. Bagwasi also pressed worry that there is no standard procedure followed by the ministry comes to promotions of teachers.
He said that regions not follow standard procedures when they promote teachers. “The was advised to communicate with Directors Operations to set of standards of promotions. Regional The expectation there has to be one procedure promoting teachers.” The other main challenge for teachers is that of transfers. Bagwasi said that most teachers deserve to have progressed to a higher scale have not progressed. “Then leadership has addressed issues progression through engaging at Sectora Bargaining forum where it was agreed such emerging issues on progression will be addressed as they are report Bagwasi also raised concern continuous delay in payments temporary teachers. “This comes as a challenge because a salary is necessary for the daily need of an employee.
The Union approached the governproblem is. The Ministry sited among others lack of funds, and lack of information. The Union was not pleased with the response from the government and advised that the teachers have to be paid on time so that they may be able to perform their daily functions. Follow ups will be done to assess if there has been any recognisable change.”
Earlier on, in his address BTU President Gotlamang Oitsile urged VROs who were at the conference to work hard so as to be counted among people who have made a meaningful contribution to the development of the union. “Let us ensure that we leave this conference educated on what is expected of us in our sectors.” The union’s secretary general Cde Agang Gabana said that the union has noted with concern allegations circulating in the media projecting BTU in a negative way.
“These allegations have the potential to destabilize the union peace and tranquility that have been built and enjoyed over the years. In an endeavour to put issues into perspective, allay fears of our general membership and to clear the union name, a number of interventions were made to that effect. These include media rebuttals and engaging in regional meetings to update the structures about these issues.”