Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is looking into ways to address teachers’ accommodation challenge, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Aubrey Lesaso has said.
Addressing teachers in Bonnington South constituency in Gaborone recently, Mr Lesaso said finding a lasting solution to the problem was among the top priorities that his ministry was attending to.
He pointed out considerations included helping teachers to rent houses at their duty stations, as well as building or buying houses for teacher accommodation.
Mr Lesaso conceded that some teachers houses were dilapidated and in need of extensive maintenance work.
He said the problem was compounded by some teachers who refused to vacate houses when on a three-year study leave.
Mr Lesaso pointed out that others ran high water bills, which they did not settle when going on transfer, leaving the debt for new tenants.
He assured the teachers that the ministry wanted to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning in all public schools.
Expressing concern about the rising indiscipline displayed by learners, Mr Lesaso said government was concerned about the use of drugs by pupils. He disclosed that they were in talks with the police and neighbourhood watch committees to help address the issue of drugs.
He said introduction of sniffer dogs to stem the movement of drugs into schools was an option being considered. He said hawkers who carried out business along the school periphery were also a cause for concern.
Bonnington South Member of Parliament, Mr Christian Greef said he was not pleased with the school results.
He said in Gaborone West, some teachers commuted from as far as Kanye, Jwaneng and Mochudi due to lack of accommodation.
He said some teachers shared accommodation, which was uncomfortable as some had children.
Mr Greef said Gaborone West could be the drugs epicentre, with pupils putting teachers’ lives at risk.
He said teachers faced the near impossible task of moulding young people who most of the time were children under the influence of drugs. Mr Greef stated that there were cases of teachers being assaulted by learners in various schools.
He appealed to the ministry’s leadership to visit schools in order to appreciate the situation of the ground.
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