Teachers to drag government to court

The two Teachers’ Trade Unions; Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) have decided to drag the government of Botswana to court. The decision comes as the government intends on continuing keeping schools open amid escalating COVID-19 cases and deaths amongst teachers and schools.

“The two educator trade Unions have commenced to embark on a court action against Government. The two educator trade Unions will be filing court papers by end of this week to interdict Government from continuing to have schools open without safeguarding the safety of the educators.” the two Trade Unions revealed.

According to the educators Trade Unions are not happy with the government’s response to the situation the teaching fraternity finds itself in. When answering the questions on when the teachers will get vaccinated, the Minister of Basic Education-Honourable Fidelis Mmilili Molao mentioned that he is not in a position to tell when the teachers and school support staff will get vaccinated. This is despite the fact that the Minister of Health and Wellness- Dr. Edwin Dikoloti said the vaccination of teachers will happen in July 2021. To add more salt to the wound, Honourable Dumezweni Meshack Mthimkhulu, the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration suggested that they cannot rush to vaccinate teachers as they are not the only ones affected. “This statement is not only reckless and insensitive, but it’s very unfortunate one as comes amid sky – rocketing numbers of teachers that are succumbing to COVID – 19.” the Unions charged.

The teaching fraternity has thus far lost sixty-four (64) teachers to the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). Moreover, schools support staff has also succumbed to the virus in big numbers.

In an effort to further advance their grieviences, the educators Trade Unions have decided to engage Members of Parliament. So far the opposition have been met, and the efforts to meet the ruling Members of Parliament are ongoing.

“We have also made a request to address the General Assembly of the Parliament of Botswana on Thursday 15th July 2021.” proclaimed BTU and BOSETU.