The Voice (Francistown)
Lebo Modibedi
22 January 2008
Francistown — The stigmatisation and discrimination case reported in the Voice last year September of a female teacher whose HIV/AIDS status was exposed has taken another twist.
As related in the Voice, a woman teacher at Kgabophuti Primary School in Moshupa allegedly had her status revealed to other teachers, as well as potentially to students passing by the general meeting at the school. It was alleged that the teacher who is on antiretroviral treatment, was exposed and further insulted by the headmaster, Oteng Wadipodi on September 18th 2007 over a trivial matter.
The latest turn of events has it that as a consequence of telling the truth, and supporting her co-worker and fellow teacher, Joyce Baison has been transferred to another local school in Moshupa, Bakoko Primary School. It has been stated that after the exposure incident, the HIV positive teacher, (whose name is withheld for ethical reasons) was pressed to apologise to the headmaster, Wadipodi, and to divulge the names of the teachers who had informed her of the rest of the comments Wadipodi had said after she had left the meeting in distress.
After the initial exposure meeting, whereupon she had been branded a "f***n bloody s**t", the teacher was apparently called to another senior management team meeting in November 2007, where she was again called to reveal the names of teachers who are supportive of her case, who would be willing to stand up for her. She was threatened that she may be transferred but she refused to apologise and to disclose the names of the teachers.
Joyce Baison is one of the teachers who supported the afflicted teacher.
Baison alleges that by taking a stand, supporting a fellow teacher against abuse and discrimination, that she is being transferred to another school.
Baison says the action against her was taken after she, in the presence of others, told the victimised teacher that; "You could have told them that I am there for you and I do not hide it because even at court, I will be there as a witness."
She said she spoke these words after her co-worker had just returned in tears from yet another meeting. A meeting, which she apparently thought had been held due to the fact that she had just achieved 100% pass rate in her class, was instead used to taunt her.
Baison believes she was also being bullied, and that other teachers were terrified of the head. Showing The Voice copies of a letter of transfer and her consequent response of protest, Baison, in tears, pinpointed the discrepancies.
First, she pointed out that the transfer letter, dated 07/ 01/2008, took effect on the 08/01/2008, giving her only one day to prepare herself.
Also, she pointed out that:
A code of regulations of which there is a procedure was not followed; meaning she was not given a chance to state her position regarding the transfer.
As further stated in the transfer policy, normally a teacher is transferred after five years at a school. But Baison said she had been at the school for only four years.
Only under special circumstances does one get transferred before five years, the school she was leaving had two vacancies open for teachers. But, Baison can't find any, as she has no previous record of insubordination or misconduct, and has never been disciplined.
The school she was being sent to had a surplus of teachers.
Strangely, all Baison wants is her job back at Kgabophuthi and her record to be cleared. She wants justice and the right to speak the truth without the fear of recrimination.
Quizzed at the reasons behind Joyce Baison's transfer from Kgabophuti, the headmaster refused to comment again, reiterating that the Principal Education Officer, Maria Dikeme would speak on his behalf.
Dikeme, said she could not comment as the matter had been forwarded to her director at the Ministry of Education.
BONELA is Concerned
Mr Uyapo Ndadi of BONELA, the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS has been representing the HIV-positive teacher in this sad saga. He told The Voice that the Moshupa issue is sadly not unique.
"HIV/AIDS stigma in the Botswana workplace is worsening and it manifests as discrimination. The workspace is made intolerable, employees are denied leave for health issues."
BONELA has been involved in a campaign to get Parliament to pass legislation placing a burden on employers to accommodate employees, as the law is thin on the protection of employees.
As for their client, BONELA is seeking to sue for defamation of character or for the infringement of the right to privacy. The matter would be taken to the Minister of education, Jacob Nkate. Court papers are being prepared.
Ndadi has little doubt that Baison is also being victimised, as her continued presence in the school could be seen as a threat to the status quo.
The assistant Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Education, Sandy Mosarwa, has expressed regret at both incidents, but doubtful they are linked in any way. He said if what Baison alleges is true, proper procedures were not followed and if there is concrete evidence to support that, the culprits would face the music.
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