Woes awaits MoESD beginning of 2015
BOSETU Secretary Genera, Tobokani Rari
Unresolved issues at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) are likely to disrupt the teaching practice in the coming year unless the government comes up with a very good strategy before the beginning of the year.
Firstly, the Ministry has to find a way of absorbing all the displaced teachers who it has been paying for the past twelve months for sitting idle at home without any work.
At the beginning of this year, the Ministry decided to pilot the schools of excellence policy on Music subject at senior schools and has failed to provide the teachers with students.
According to one of the music teachers, the Ministry is failing to provide the students because the music syllabus chosen is too complex and students fail the subject every year.
“Students are not choosing the subject because they do not want to spoil their overall results. The syllabus is very difficult than the one used at the local Colleges of Education, hence the Ministry had to send teachers for further training outside the country,” the teacher explained.
Sometimes in 2011, the Ministry decided that the subjects of Music, Physical Education and Design and Technology will only be taught in what they referred to as schools of excellence. The implication of the decision was that the teaching of the three subjects will be reduced to take place in selected schools each, across the country.
The decision was allegedly taken without due consultation especially with the teacher’s unions as custodians of teacher welfare. As a consequence some of the teachers spent the whole year without teaching owing to the fact that the schools have been reduced hence reducing the vacancies within the subject.
“These subjects have been operating on pilot for the past twelve years without any paths of progression and our view is that these teachers have been subjected to very unfair and discriminatory labour practice,” explained the Secretary General of Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), Tobokani Rari.
Rari alleges that consideration was not given to what would happen to teachers offering those subjects when the number of schools offering them was being shrinked to only five. He further stated that the consequence of this not so well unthought-of decision has now come to haunt not only the Ministry of Education, but the teachers as well.
Another problem that the Ministry has to deal with urgently is the payment of overtime allowances for teachers or it would be slapped with lawsuits and the teachers would refuse to do extra works.
BOSETU insists that it would no longer tolerate a situation whereby teachers conduct remedial lessons, enrichment activities and supervise course work after hours and sporting activities during weekends unless the Ministry compensate them accordingly.
BOSETU secretary general, Tobokani Rari says his union is of the view that the government is all out to exploit teachers by making them work extremely long hours and not compensate them.
“Teachers who have worked both after hours and during the rest days have not been compensated. In our view such exploitation and disregard of the statutes can no longer be tolerated,” Rari pointed out.
The conflict on this issue dates back to year 2010 when the Public Service replaced the teaching service Act and introduced fixed working hours for all the civil service employees. When the Public Service Act (PSA) was implemented it became apparent that teachers needed to comply with the provisions of the Employment Act and the international labour standards regulating the hours of work.
The act required that employees could work for a maximum of 8 hours in a day unless if engaged to work overtime. This meant that a lot of other activities such as remedial lessons, enrichment activities, supervision of coursework, sporting activities, and others fell outside the realm of the stipulated hours.
At transitional negotiations in 2010, that is, negotiations meant for the purposes of a swift movement from the old act (Teaching Service Act) to the new Act (PSA), trade unions proposed a separate arrangement of working hours of teachers because of the peculiarity of the job. The trade unions proposed a 26 day model as a way of resolving the hours of work issue.
The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) however thought that the proposed model was too complex and would be costly and the unions maintained that it would be much cheaper as it would only add ten extra hours per week for the teachers. From the ten hours, eight hours will constitute a day hence the sixth day in a week. This would make teachers to transform to a bracket of employees who are paid for 26 days at the end of the month hence having an additional remuneration of four days per month.
“This is a model that we have persistently put forward to government as the lasting solution to the notorious hours of work issue. Government instead has not been forthcoming to discuss the 26 day model as proposed by the trade unions, but instead has resorted to engaging teachers on overtime.”
However the Government had previously expressed the fear that the 26 day model will be expensive and preferred to resort to engaging teachers on overtime. In spite of this believe by government, it is now proving that overtime is not coming any cheaper. Of recent the employer has been decreeing huge expenditure on overtime for teachers and made desperate attempts to alter overtime rules as provided for in the Employment Act.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development insist on payment of fifty percent of hours worked as days off and another half paid off in monetary terms, but BOSETU has advised its members to desist from carrying overtime in case that the employer pre – determines the conditions under which the overtime is to be worked in such a plot.
“We have seen government clearly and fragrantly bypassing and bending the laws regulating overtime through unlawful savingrams authored by DPSM and the Ministry of Education. Such instructions have put teachers and school managements on a collision course. We have huge number of teachers whose authorized overtime engagements have not been paid out as government shifts goal posts on overtime payments.”
BOSETU is of the view that Education Ad hoc Sectoral Bargaining structure which worked well during Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and Permanent Secretary Grace Muzila’s management has become defunct and has ceased to meet.
The union has therefore called on the Vice President who doubles as the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Permanent Secretary Dr Richard Matlhare to get the structure up again and resolve the mess that is besieging their Ministry. The structure according to the union did help in addressing issues of industrial relations and teacher welfare.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.