BTU HOLDS SUCCESSFUL TERTIARY S
Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) held a successful Tertiary Sector Day last Saturday at Adansonia Hotel in Francistown.
Held under theme: “Tertiary Education: A Building Block Towards a Knowledge Based Economy”, the event was graced by the Minister of Education and Skills Development (MESD), Hon Dr Douglas Letsholathebe. Explaining the objectives of the day Vice Regional Organiser (Gaborone/ Tlokweng), Cde Monica Molelu said it is an interactive day where among others ideas would be shared to better the Sector’s condition of service and improve professional integrity. In his welcome remarks Regional Organiser (Francistown), Cde King Ntobi said the event happened at an opportune time with the Tertiary Sector back under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MESD). “This development spells better understanding and working relations as now there will only be one user Ministry to deal with. In the recent past, it has been a cumbersome task to advocate for conditions of service for the Sector as it was manned by two different Ministries,” said Cde King. Sharing the same sentiments was BTU President, Gotlamang Oitsile. He said Tertiary Education is one of the components in the larger scale of Education that contributes to the economic enhancement of the country. He cited a review by the World Bank on higher education which classified it as an instrument that fosters growth; reduce poverty, while boosting shared prosperity. According to Cde Oitsile, the same review states that a highly skilled workforce, with lifelong access to a solid post-secondary education, is a prerequisite for innovation and growth. The review further narrates that welleducated people are more employable and productive, earn higher wages, and cope with economic shocks better. “This review by the World Bank resonates well with today’s theme, which calls for us to examine the entire ingredients associated with tertiary education to see where we’re doing right and where we’re failing,” said Cde Oitsile. The BTU President said the Union believes that for the Sector to achieve the country’s vision and respond positively to what the World Bank has pronounced; conditions of service and welfare of lectures should be fully addressed. ‘There are a number of issues which need to be attended to, as a matter of urgency, in order to bring about what we aspire to achieve through this sector,” he said. The President however acknowledged that of recent they have seen positives by the Government agreeing to some of the requests made by the Union. Cde Oitsile reiterated that they value the Tertiary sector in the Union, and give it equal attention given to Primary and Secondary Sectors, despite their difference numerically. The President further urged the Ministry to engage with the Union on Education matters to find solutions to the Education problems. He also reminded Minister Letsholathebe that he is inheriting a Ministry with issues such as progression of lecturers, structure of Brigades, transformation of Colleges and professional development among others. “Also there is accreditation of Lectures concern with regard to fees charged for them to be accredited,” he said.