EDUCATION PS IS DETACHED FROM REALITY

The above matter refers

We note with disappointment and utter dejection the remarks made by the Ministry of Basic Education

(MoBE) Permanent Secretary, Ms Bridget John on National Television to the effect that:

1.    “Parents who decide not to bring back their children to school  are not guaranteed  a placement  next year.”

Ms John should be reminded in case she has forgotten that, the world is battling with a deadly and life threatening virus and governments are running against time to prevent and safe the lives of people, including the children. Unfortunately on the other side, the PS is busy threatening parents and bringing confusion to the already confused situation.

The Government has a duty to make it a point that every child has access to education, and Ms John should not all of a sudden behave as if everything is normal where reckless decisions can be made by putting the lives of children a risk posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

At all costs, we should not leave anyone behind as we adjust to a “New Normal”, where everyone devises ways of living with this deadly virus.

2.    The Development of the Consent Form

            This is one of the appalling developments coming from a senior officer in the education    sector, telling parents that they should at their own volition consent their children to the envisaged risk. A risk posed by the deadly virus which has collapsed most of the health systems of richest countries.

Education is a fundamental human right and essential as it promotes individual freedom and

            empowerment, and yields important development benefits. Therefore, parents should not be

            subjected to find themselves in a precarious situation where they are forced to choose whether

their children should go to school or not.

3.    “We have a lot of teachers who are NOT teaching  like H.O.Ds and School Heads, we will decide if the workload they have cannot allow them to assist.”

This is indeed a very unfortunate statement coming from a Permanent Secretary who should

BTU and its constituents have always been very supportive to the Minister of Basic Education’s call for dialogue especially during these had times of COVID-19. However, the above statements by the PS are so demoralizing, demeaning and embarrassing. We do not want radical and dictatorial approaches to that which we have been trained for and know best; that is educating the nation.

We are committed to our call and have sacrificed for years so that the nation can move forward, but Ms John’s assertions will soon trigger the wrong button which she might not be able to handle. Let intellect and reason lead us during this COVID-19 difficult moment and NOT irrational and misplaced emotional venting. These are tough times which need leadership and NOT misplaced emotional displays of power!

SIGNED:

Agang Gabana

BTU Secretary General