Khama's remarks dishearten teachers' union

Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOSETU) has been rubbed the wrong way by President Ian Khama's remarks on the recent civil service strike at last weekend's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) congress in Mahalapye.

BOSETU spokesman, Mogomotsi Motshegwa has said Khama's statements are disheartening because they cast aspersions on the legality of the strike.

In Mahalapye, the president labelled civil servants who went on strike as un-patriotic, indisciplined and selfish. He thanked those who did not take part in the strike and quipped: "Unlike others on strike, they showed they understood the economic situation and therefore unnecessary need to strike but to be patriotic, disciplined and not selfish". Motshegwa said the remarks are not good because the strike was lawful and protected and its rules where negotiated between the labour movements and the employer. He termed Khama's comments offensive and divisive.

"Teachers who were on strike no longer work freely and frustrated teachers can never be expected to produce high quality students as they don't enjoy their jobs," he said.

Motshegwa stated that the post-strike divide between teachers who downed tools and those who did not is having adverse effects in schools. He added that calling teachers unpatriotic and selfish is ungrateful because for years the professionals have delivered on their mandate.

He stated that the registration form that was introduced on June 17 for teachers who were on strike is divisive and might be used for victimisation.

Motshegwa called on the employer to respect the teacher or at least sympathise with learners.

"It is frustrating as well now because headmasters are being used to recommend teachers for promotions and those who were on strike feel unsafe as the issue is bound to be used against them," he said.

Meanwhile, BOSETU has called for progression under level of operation issue to be a one-off exercise. The union is opposed to suggestions by the employer to phase-in the exercise that is estimated to cost P400 million. The government has said this is a huge amount that it cannot pay at once.