The globe is becoming more complex and sophisticated due to globalization, as well as the socio, economic and politic dynamics within our own backyard here in Botswana. We can no longer leave democracy matters to chance. Our current socio-economic and political morass, dictates that we should engage in a meaningful dialogue to nurture positive conversations that will move our beloved country to the promised land of peace, freedom, prosperity, solidarity and social justice for all
A democracy survives the test of time if the citizens are pragmatically involved in the discussion of issues so as to pave way for rational decisions channelled towards benefiting the country or even the government of the day. A democracy survives only if nurtured by meaningful dialogue and the willingness to listen even to those voices we hate the most. The greatest threats to society are the anti-democratic dogmas which subscribe to the notion that a democracy or the way of behaving in a democratic society should be prescribed like pills. For a democracy to become vibrant, all citizens must embark on social dialogue with humility and celebrate diversity of opinions. A democracy cannot run on mighty orders by one person. People’s voices should be heard from various parameters. The founder of our democracy, Sir Seretse Khama, built this nation from ground zero to greater heights by acknowledging the fact that dialogue is essential within any society which prophesizes diversity and multiculturalism. Whenever dialogue is suppressed within a society, we should deem that as a prophetic signal that our society is approaching the hour of darkness.
Today we live in a paradoxical global era where the challenges of education are more than a mountain. Although scholars such as John Dewey, Paulo Freire, Judith Green and Clive Harber, advance the doctrine of emancipatory, liberatory, pragmatic and progressive democratic education-we continue to impose out-dated and oppressive education system which magnifies the educator to the position of a monster who knows it all and has the powers to educate, discipline and abuse children while the children remain silent, humble, disciplined and to some degree compelled to act like helpless angels who are awaiting their fate from the all-powerful teacher. This type of cancer in our education has now caught up with the teacher himself or herself who is equally expected to behave like a holy angel by the employer even when there are clear indications from the horizon that all is not well regarding the teacher’s welfare. The teacher’s morale is at a devastating low which is a danger to the process of teaching and learning. Sadly, most of you teachers are very poor despite your levels of education-why is that so? Within our current education system’s dispensation, those who are vocal or appear to be pragmatic and with the zeal to question how things are done; they automatically become the victims of the status quo and get black-listed. Reflect back on the 2011 Public Service Strike as well as the developing trend of victimizing those in the student government. How then can we produce a democratically active society if we are so possessed with the spirit of killing democracy from grassroots?
In case of Botswana, “a supposedly flourishing democracy”, the education system promotes and celebrates the docility and passiveness of both the teacher and the student. A very numb and voiceless teacher is often deemed as a good and exemplary teacher. Unfortunately such teachers are not aware that they are enemies of the democratic process. In a sense, a country cannot claim to be a successful democracy whiles its education system remains tainted with authoritarian, dictatorial and undemocratic tendencies. Whenever the process of education ceases to educate and decides to focus on drilling students for tests and examinations, dialogue will die a natural death and in our case here in Botswana we have decided to legally promote the death of deep deliberative democracy by promoting the indiscriminate and haphazard administration of corporal punishment which subjects students to loyal objects of abuse. Democracy will never prevail where fear is legally sanctioned by a heartless and oppressive education system. Let me be understood from the dimension that I am a progressive democratic educator who has been raised under a traditional Kalanga culture where children are being punished but not abused. I am not saying children should not be punished, but I have a problem with the lopsided mindset that the only form of punishment which could be used in our education system is the abusive corporal punishment which intimidates students beyond any scope of democratic resurrection. You as a Union should understand that you are faced with a mammoth task of not only advocating for dialogue in society but should also be seen to be playing a crucial democratic role regarding student’s welfare and protection in our schools.
Harber (1999) makes a case that traditional authoritarian schools have compromised the ideals of democracy in education. If at all democracy is to reign in our schools, empowerment and participation has to be fostered within the four corners of our classrooms and beyond. If democracy were to become a reality in Botswana schools, our curriculum and the general fabric of the school would be seen to be promoting democratic habits between the school administrators, teachers and students. Why therefore comrades do we tend to be taken aback when we have some school administrators who are authoritarian and dictatorial in their behaviour as they subject teachers to perpetual fear, yet we know that we are part and parcel of the lot which promotes undemocratic ways in our education system?
*An abridgement of a keynote address by Dr. Agreement LathiJotia
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Languages and Social Sciences Education, University of Botswana at the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) Special Congress in Francistown on August 4-7.
