PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE 2021

LET’S TOGETHER FIGHT COVID-19

We begin the year 2021 not certain of what is in store for us as a society, having experienced the worst in 2020 where economic activities were halted due to the effects of Covid-19 pandemic. We were exposed to a new way of doing things to ensure that our lives continue and use everything we can possibly have to make a living.

Covid-19 remains a threat as the country continues to experience new positive cases daily, which shows that there is still a long way to go for the virus to be defeated. Our hope is pinned on the availability of a safe and effective vaccine which many countries are busy developing, with some at the last stage of development. While waiting for a vaccine, it is upon individuals to ensure compliance to available protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Not only are we battling with defeating this deadly virus, we have amongst us another virus which if left unattended and addressed fully, will reverse the moral integrity of our society and degrade the dignity of this country’s women and girls. Gender Based Violence (GBV) and School Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) are risk factors to humanity and it is for us as a people to stand united against them. The ongoing activities aimed at sensitizing people about the dangers and effects brought about this illicit act, are some of the mitigating strategies towards ending GBV and SRGBV.

As a Union we have pledged our support to make available resources to the Gender and Human Rights Desk to harness their activities, which contribute to the national campaign by the Government and other stakeholders. Our commitment to dialogue with the government in ratifying International Labour Organisation Convention 190 (ILO C190) and Recommendation 206 on Violence and Harassment in the world of work is ongoing. We have also submitted our position paper through the Gender and Human Rights Desk to the relevant Ministry.

Our core mandate of being the advocates of teachers’ welfare and protection is also in full swing despite challenges experienced as a result of Covid-19. We used every avenue during the course of 2020 to advance our course of dialoguing with the employer on different and unresolved issues affecting teachers. We have since escalated our advocacy role to the political leadership where we engaged different Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) across the aisles, particularly on the contentious issue of Senior Teachers at Primary Schools and Principal Education Officers II.

We are hopeful that 2021 will present an opportune moment for us to continue with advocating for teachers welfare and protection. Together, we will strive for good governance, respect for one another, innovative society, and build a spirit of working together as a unit to advance together in harmony. We will also be at the forefront in UNITING our society and be part of a solution to culture restoration.

Let us focus and glue our eyes to goal posts by participating in programmes and projects initiated for your advancement. Let us all join hands for the good of our organisation and country.