29 January 2008
editorial
The pervasiveness of teacher-student sexual affairs is alarming. In the late eighties and early nineties, such cases were prevalent but the authorities moved in and instituted drastic measures to arrest the situation.
However, lately, there are increasing reports of teacher-student "love" affairs. Surely, love does not form the basis of such a union. It is more like a sex maniac teacher taking advantage of the impressionable and hapless school kids.
At the tertiary level, the situation is no better. Just last week, we reported complaints by some University of Botswana students who accused some lecturers of demanding sexual favours in exchange for good grades. We are just wondering whether what is traditionally known as a "cooperation fee" in some West African tertiary institutions, is also becoming institutionalised in Botswana. The behaviour of these teachers and lecturers are not only psychologically destructive to our children but also expose them to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is apparent that this precarious and untenable situation calls for the urgent involvement of all stakeholders that include parents, the Ministry of Education and teacher and lecturer organisations. It was therefore surprising to hear leaders of teachers' unions, argue that there is little they can do in terms of punishing their erring members.
Botswana Secondary School Teachers' Union (BOSETU) president, Eric Ditau, reportedly said they "can only take action if the members violate the union constitution". But a constitution can be amended to make it bite. The least that unions can do right now is to take the approach as explained by Botswana Teachers' Union president, Japhta Radibe.
The union embarks on own investigations and should the concerned members be found to have erred, then the union offers them no protection. But we still believe the unions should also compile a register of convicted teachers and ban them from getting close to students ever again.
We cannot agree more with UB Professor Richard Tabulawa's wish that the "nation could come up with a law to restrain elders, not just teachers, from engaging in sexual relationships with students regardless of their age. We cannot fail in this as a nation if we are determined".
Today's Thought
It's extraordinary to see how little people get punished for it. I've met people who've gotten years in jail for snatching purses, yet these sexual abusers get probation. Justice is wrong somewhere.
- James Nelson
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