SECRETARY-GENERAL

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Botswana Teachers Union

3 months ago

04th August 2020
MEDIA STATEMENT

BTU MESSAGE TO TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES

1. The Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) is intensely worried by the recently reported increase of Covid-19 positive cases. The virus has found its way into the education sector, some teachers and students tested positive in the Greater Gaborone Zone. This resulted in lockdown of the Zone for a minimum of two weeks as announced by the Minister of Health and Wellness on state television on Thursday night, further impacting negatively on the already strained education system of the country.

2. Upon being notified of this unfortunate situation in schools, the Union leadership quickly engaged the Ministry of Health and Wellness officials to understand a number of factors regarding teachers and students in quarantine.

3. Our consultation process gave us the opportunity to come up with solutions that would ensure those quarantined receive the necessary best care possible. Furthermore, we enlisted the assistance of the Vice President for the Tertiary Sector, Comrade Maureen Seotlwe and Vice President Gender and Human Rights Comrade Ratanang Baleseng who have extensive knowledge in counselling, to offer psycho-social support to the quarantined teachers and students. The two have been offering counselling services and psycho-social support to teachers during the initial April lockdown.

4. Another decision that the Union leadership took was to provide assistance to quarantined colleagues and students with communication means to enable them to keep in touch with their families and friends. This will assist them to cope with the situation by easing their
anxiety so that they remain positive and defeat Covid-19.

5. We assure the teachers, our members, students and the general public that the Union
leadership is constantly in consultation with the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) to
collectively find a workable solution. A meeting with the MoBE and the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) was held on the 3rd August 2020 to assess the current situation of Covid-19 in schools, and come with ways to prevent a possible catastrophic situation in the schools.

6. We presented our views regarding the current virus situation in schools, especially in the Greater Gaborone Zone where together with our sister Union resolved that all schools
countrywide be closed. We also proposed that the 2020 academic year be extended to April
2021 to allow students to adequately cover the syllabus.

7. The MoBE officials did not accede to our proposals to close schools; instead said they will re-open schools in a phased manner starting with completing classes followed by the remaining streams two weeks later. We are happy that they assured us of their open policy regarding possible extension of the current academic to a suitable date while monitoring the virus in schools.
8. In view of the above, we still believe that the Covid-19 Presidential Task Force Team should provide the Education sector with a comprehensive expert advice considering the risk extent of possible virus spread in schools. We also implore the MoBE to prepare well in advance how the delivery of teaching and learning, and completions of the academic year will be done should the situation exacerbate, which could force closure of schools.

9. The unexpected increase of cases should not make us lose hope in anyway. The only weapon at our disposal to eliminating all possible threats by Covid-19 and reclaiming our lives is unity and adherence to the regulations

10. In the meantime, we encourage the teachers, students and parents through the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) to ensure safety in schools and homes to guard against outbreak of Covid-19 in schools. We also plead with our members and the public to remain resolute and at all times adhere to preventative health protocols to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading Covid-19.
Let us continue to Wear Masks, Wash Hands, Sanitize and observe Social Distancing at all times.

Gotlamang Oitsile
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