BTU WELCOMES DECISION TO DELAY RE-OPENING FOR SOME GRADES

President of Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Gotamang Oitsile said they welcome the new arrangement where reopening of schools for learners in different grades would would be phased.

He endorsed the opening of the new term on different dates, adding that they believe, it will curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The decision to have different levels not to open at the same time was taken by both the Ministry of Basic Education and Teachers’ Unions.

The Monitor has learnt that the assessment of school environment will also commence this week as the schools re-open.

Both the Ministry and Teachers’ Unions have formed a committee to keep on assessing school environment and the spread of the virus in schools.

“We have been part of this arrangement. The reason behind this arrangement is that we have observed gatherings during festive season.

As you may know, schools have high numbers of students and the virus could easily spread therefore at primary schools, we will have time to make Standard 1s to get used to school environment and how to get used to keep on wearing a mask.

Teachers for other classes which are not reporting to school this week, will be helping teachers for Standard 1s to observe students and help where possible to adjust in those four days,” Oitsile said in an interview on Sunday.

He said the assessment for this week would help the Ministry to make a determination on whether to make certain changes or not. According to the Ministry’s press release issued last week, for primary schools, the completing classes of Standard 7, upper primary classes of Standard 5 and 6, and Standard 1 will be going to school this week. The press release from Minister, Fidelis Molao, said this will allow orientation and acclimatisation of the new learners. It continues; “at junior secondary, a similar pattern will follow with the return of Form 3s and Form 1s. This will afford the Form 1s an opportunity for orientation so that they settle well in secondary school. At senior secondary , it will be the Form 5 completing class and students in boarding who will arrive in school a day earlier, Monday January 11, 2021, as usual.”

Other classes will open on January 19, 2021 and pre-primary learners, children with severe and profound disabilities (special needs) will re-open at the end of February 2021, the release added.