BOSETU says Kgafela-Mokoka is detached from reality
The Botswana Sector of Educators Union (BOSETU) has described the minister of Education and Child Welfare, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, as the worst to ever hold the education portfolio following her denial of violence in government schools.
In a strongly worded statement issued earlier today, the union accused the minister of being out of touch with realities on the ground, arguing that she should not make “uninformed statements”.
BOSETU’s discontent stems from the minister’s remarks last week, where she refuted claims of widespread violence in government schools, saying she had personally visited three institutions and found no alarming incidents to support claims that learners face danger when schools close for holidays.
BOSETU Secretary General Oreeditse Nyatso disputed the minister’s remarks, revealing that both the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) have recently been deployed to escort learners off school premises during closing time.
Although he could not remember the exact dates, Nyatso insisted that the deployments reflected the seriousness of the situation facing schools across the country.
He described the minister’s remarks as uninformed and detached from the reality experienced by teachers and learners, particularly during school closing days when incidents of violence are allegedly more frequent.
“We are compelled to state that Hon Kgafela Mokoka is rapidly cementing a reputation as one of the worst, if not the worst, ministers of education in Botswana’s history due to persistent failure to meaningfully engage stakeholders and address the root causes of challenges within the sector. In light of these developments, BOSETU calls upon the government to urgently intervene, engage the minister seriously, and conduct a thorough fit and proper assessment of capability to lead the education portfolio in a manner that serves the best interests of learners, educators, and the nation,” said the secretary general in a statement.
The union further accused the minister of undermining the education sector and detachment from reality, adding that she should learn to listen, consult, and act decisively based on facts and stakeholder engagement.
