Lekopanye Mooketsi
14 April 2008
Gaborone — Parliament adjoined sine dine on Friday when the House was still debating Letlhakeng East Member of Parliament (MP) Gordon Mokgwathi's motion, calling for the abolition of school fees.
When presenting his motion, Mokgwathi questioned the rationale behind the introduction of the cost sharing system. "We are imposing an additional burden on parents," he argued.
He said the effects of cost sharing mean that families are digging deeper into their pockets to pay school fees. He argued that even wealthy families are diverting their resources on school fees instead of on investment. He said this would have an impact on the economy.
Mokgwathi said that the withdrawal of children who fail to pay fees from schools does not augur well for a country that purports to promote equity.
"We should be talking about the ability to pay and willingness to pay. The ability to pay is not necessarily the willingness to pay," he said. He added that parents are paying school fees simply because they do not have much choice. He told Parliament that the question of reluctance to pay involves choice. The opposition MP said it does not make sense to raise funds through cost sharing.
He said even the education offered at secondary schools does not prepare students for adult life. Mokgwathi said any educationist could tell that there is still much to do to revamp the curriculum at secondary schools.
But specially elected MP Margaret Nasha, who is also the Minister of Local Government, poured scorn on Mokgwathi's motion. "During my short life, I have never come across an economist who preaches non- payment for services," said Nasha.
She said after two-and-a-half hours of "hot air", Mokgwathi had not yet presented the background to his motion.
Nasha reminded Mokgwathi that basic education means primary education, which the government is providing free of charge. "It would cause havoc if school fees were introduced at primary school."
Nasha told the House that Botswana has done tremendously well in education. She said some countries cannot even talk about education because it is non-existent.
Nasha defined school fees as full payment due for the education of a child. On the other hand, she insisted that cost sharing is not equal to school fees. "If we were charging schools fees, we could be charging P6,000 but we are only charging P300, which is five percent," she said. "We are a benevolent government. We are saying pay five percent."
She said during the old days, people were not happy about school fees as it was paid before because they were paying the full amount. "But now they are happy. These are not school fees. We are showing an element of responsibility and accountability as parents. Are we are saying the duty of somebody who brought a child into the world is just to celebrate when that child has done well at school. I don't think so. We are saying: do so if you can. We are saying: show responsibility towards your child that you care for," she said.
"We are a government that listens," said Nasha, who was in her element. She said when it comes to looking after children the Botswana government has no equal. "This government cares when it comes to children. The government even cares for the unborn ones," she said, adding that pregnant women do not pay for pre-natal medical care at the clinics. "If a mother goes for testing it is done for free. Medical attention for children is free."
Nasha said people have to understand that the country's diamonds are a wasting asset. "Diamonds are not forever. We should be looking at other means of raising funds," she said.
"We have to teach Batswana how to survive without totally being dependent on the government. I regret why we cancelled the payment of school fees, local government tax and hut tax. We should not have," she said. "If we re-introduce local government tax we will be in trouble because we are living with a generation that does not know local government tax."
Nasha said during their time, their parents used to do everything in their power to raise school fees. They used to sell eggs and khadi (traditional brew). She said this showed that they were serious about their children's education.
"We used to buy uniforms and shoes that we could only wear in winter." Nasha said they used to be focused at school because their parents were paying school fees. "Everyone used to have a dream. We had these small dreams."
"Now this is a fact, you do not treasure anything that you do not pay for. We are saying: let's do something. Pay a little bit so that you can treasure and own this education."
She added that people, who plead poverty, patronise bars daily. Just as she was about to spit more fire, the Speaker (Patrick Balopi) called on the leader of the House to declare an adjournment. This must have saved Mokgwathi's skin from Nasha who was clearly on the warpath.
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