Government has finally agreed to open talks with unions over vaccination of teachers following threats of class boycott.
Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) publicity secretary Agang Gabana told The Telegraph on Monday that after writing a letter to government on Sunday requesting for a meeting, it was agreed that the meeting could possibly take place yesterday (Tuesday 17th) pending the availability of other stakeholders.
Gabana said even though government had indicated that schools will remain closed, there had not been a plan detailing how this extended closure will be used to vaccinate teachers.
“We wrote a letter to government on Sunday requesting for a meeting. The Minister responsible told us that Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for cabinet meetings. We then suggested Tuesday of which they agreed to. The only Ministry which has not responded yet is the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills development,” said Gabana.
He further said as it stands, unions still maintain their stance that teachers will only return to schools once they have been vaccinated.
He stated that even the country’s leadership recently announced that it is still not safe for schools to re-open.
“We want to believe that the extension now gives all parties an opportunity to sit down and map a forward in terms of how teachers will be vaccinated,” added Gabana.
For their part, the public relations officer in the Ministry of Basic Education, Oarabile Phefo said there are pending issues which the Ministry has engaged others on.
“We often engage unions on various issues and this is one other issue that we will soon engage them on,” said Phefo.
“We have assured them that we will respond to their demands before end of this week because for the meeting to take place, all key stakeholders should be available,” said Phefo.
On the other hand, A source close to the Ministry indicated that the meeting is likely to be held on Friday this week.
Last week, President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi announced that schools will remain closed by a further three weeks despite initially indicating that schools will re-open this week.
Last month, government took a decision to close schools owing to the increasing rate of Covid-19 in schools.
Masisi told the nation that schools will remain closed except for completing classes of standard 7, form 3 and form 5.
In his address during the commemoration of the National Teachers’ Day held virtually, Masisi said he recognizes the enormous pressure that teachers in Botswana are operating under during this unprecedented and uncertain period of Covid-19.
With a view aimed at mitigating the threat posed by Covid-19, measures were undertaken to reduce class sizes, engage temporary teachers and employing Safety Health and Environment officers in all public schools, he said.
“My government will roll-out a successful and timely vaccination program to curb the impact of the disease on our people including yourselves – teachers,” said Masisi before thanking all teachers and support staff for their efforts and personal sacrifice which saved Botswana’s 2020 academic year.
Masisi described teachers as the frontliners who are playing an important role in the prevention of the Covid-19 transmission.
