Africa-Press – Botswana. Teachers and educators are central to the country’s transformation agenda hence the need to create a positive working environment for them, Minister of Education and Skills Development Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has said.
Dr Letsholathebe told delegates during the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union annual conference in Palapye on Monday that the goals of the transformation agenda would easily be attainable only if teachers and educators were happy and doing their job diligently.
Appreciating their role, the minister said they were the backbone of the country’s education system.
“Teachers are critical in transforming Botswana from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based status as well as transforming the country from an upper-middle-income country to a high-income status,” he said
The minister said government valued and appreciated teachers’ commitment and dedication in supporting both the education system and ensuring quality education.
On other issues, he decried drug and substance abuse, indiscipline and other social ills in schools, saying such needed to be addressed before the situation spiraled out of control.
Dr Letsholathebe said government was trying everything to address teachers’ grievances and other issues of concern hence he pleaded with them to give the relevant authorities time to address the concerns.
He encouraged teachers to continue with the good work of producing human resource for the development of the country as there was a strong correlation between education and economic growth.
On professional development for teachers, he said it was essential for improving the quality of the country’s education system, adding that increased investment in education led to increased economic growth.
He explained that Botswana Teaching Professionals Council was established to regulate the teaching profession in Botswana, and would create room for accreditation of qualified teachers who would practice in Botswana.
He also talked about digitalisation in schools which he said was in full swing and aimed at improving the education system and creating a platform for teachers to continue learning and develop themselves to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He said benchmarking was done in South Africa to provide a long-lasting solution to work load issues as teachers felt they were burdened to mark a huge number of pupils work owing to a high ratio of learners per teacher in schools.
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