RECKLESS MINISTERS Teacher unions say government has failed them
Ministers Fidelis Molao, Mpho Balopi and Douglas Letsholathebe are ‘reckless,’ Botswana Teachers Union BTU) and Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) have said.
The three men are responsible for the Ministries of Basic Education, Employment Labour Productivity and Skills Development and Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology respectively.
In a letter delivered to the concerned ministers, BTU and BOSETU accused the ministers of recklessly continuing to disregard the safety of teachers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Despite the overwhelming empirical evidence which demonstrates that educators have been disproportionately affected by COVID and are correctly classified as frontline workers, your government has failed to provide educators in educational institutions with basic personal protective equipment so as to create a safe working environment.
“Despite public pronouncements that vaccine supply has been secured for the entire population, your government has failed, notwithstanding repeated requests to indicate when it will begin vaccinating educators,” reads the letter. In response, Balopi said he received the letter this past Monday and was not in a position to speak in detail about it. However, he said they sympathise with educators.
“Unions form part and parcel of the Covid-19 task force team, I believe they are aware that there has to be consultations as it is always the case. “Government is willing to listen to their concerns because commitments have been made to prevent loss of life where possible during this difficult time of Covid-19,” Balopi said.
Letsholathebe also confirmed receiving the letter. “We are working on it and engaging with relevant stakeholders. We have not been able to meet with the teacher unions about their concerns but I can assure you that we will give them an ear,” he said.
The minister added that government had announced its vaccination plan with priority given to the elderly. “We understood the reasons behind that but exceptions can be made depending on the reasons advanced,” he said. Molao told local media that government is not neglecting teachers, adding that teachers would be getting their jabs if there were enough vaccines for everybody.