Teacher unions reject digital classroom surveillance

The Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) have condemned remarks by the Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela Mokoka, regarding a proposed "digital classroom tracking" initiative.This initiative, as stated, would involve monitoring and tracking educators during teaching and learning, and the environment in which they work.“We would like members, stakeholders and the community to know from the outset that BOSETU has not been consulted on this matter.As a legally recognised representative of educators, any policy or initiative that affects our members’ working environment or conditions of service must involve the union through proper consultative processes,” BOSETU Secretary General Tobokani Rari said.He stated that implementing surveillance mechanisms without engaging the union is not only undemocratic, but it is also unlawful and unacceptable.Rari indicated that teacher performance and accountability are already governed by established performance management systems through appropriate supervisory structures.He argued that any deviation from this framework, especially without the involvement of organised labour, will be met with resistance.“We urge the Ministry and in particular, Minister Mokoka to redirect focus towards digitising the school curriculum to enhance access to quality education for all learners, rather than investing in the digital policing of educators under the guise of enforcing child friendly schools,” he said.He explained that BOSETU is increasingly concerned by a troubling pattern in which the Ministry prioritises the "Child Welfare" component of its mandate while neglecting critical issues of quality education and teacher welfare.BOSETU unequivocally rejects any attempt to introduce digital tracking of teachers, Rari reiterated.BTU Secretary General, Norman Baraedi said that BTU supports the digitalisation of education to keep pace with the evolving world of teaching and learning in schools, driven by the digital age and artificial intelligence (AI).“However, we strongly differ with the Minister on harbouring ambitions to introduce ‘digital classroom trackers’ to monitor and observe teaching and other activities within the school environment.”He stated that the government should instead focus on ensuring that schools have digital classrooms equipped with technology and digital tools, such as computers, tablets, and online platforms, to enhance instruction and student learning.Additionally, he said it is essential to ensure that teachers are retrained to meet the demands of the digital age, so that they deliver quality and relevant teaching and learning.“The Minister continues to make pronouncements that affect teachers and cause tremors in labour relations without first, as is the norm, engaging the Union as a recognised entity in labour relations concerning teachers.”Baraedi contended that unilateral pronouncements without consulting the recognised Teacher Trade Unions in the true spirit of good labour relations and fairness cannot be condoned or accepted in a democratic dispensation where decisions are collectively taken."In light of the latest development regarding ‘digital classroom trackers’, we want to categorically state that BTU was never consulted through the known structures that the Minister and her executive are aware of," he said.“The Minister is also aware of the available monitoring and evaluation processes and tools to gauge teachers' performance and accountability, per the performance management systems.Ms Mokoka should do the right thing by engaging the recognised Teacher Trade Unions before introducing a programme that affects the conditions of service of teachers,” Baraedi contended.He explained that as advocates and protectors of the welfare and working conditions of teachers, they denounce in the strongest terms any programme that has the potential to undermine the integrity and professionalism of the teaching fraternity.He said the Minister should go back and take the necessary steps by consulting the recognised Union.Baraedi reminded the Minister that BTU believes in fostering a cooperative spirit among teachers and promoting and maintaining high standards of ethical conduct, professional integrity, and professional efficiency in the pursuit of excellence in teaching.He indicated that this commitment to ethical standards is not just a belief, but a practice that is deeply ingrained in the Constitution.

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Teacher unions reject digital classroom surveillance