Limpho Sello
THE Lesotho Teachers Association (LAT) has requested an urgent meeting with Education and Training Minister Mokhele Moletsane to air grievances about their working conditions.
In a letter to the minister, the association accuses the previous Pakalitha Mosisili-led government of inflicting “cruelties, ill-treatment, poor working conditions” on their members, urging the new administration “to come up with an improvement”.
For his part, Mr Moletsane acknowledged receiving the letter, although he would not divulge any further details.
The teachers’ unions have been at loggerheads with the previous government over its decision not to pay them for new qualifications as well as issuing performance contracts among other grievances.
In October 2016, the ministry announced that it had amended the 2002 Teaching Service Regulations so that the government would not be obliged to pay teachers for new qualifications obtained while they were already on the Teaching Service Department (TSD).
The amendment was with effect from 17 June, 2016.
This riled the teachers who threatened industrial and court action, arguing that refusing to pay for new qualifications was tantamount to failing to appreciate that education was an evolving profession and that teachers needed to upgrade their qualifications.
The Dr Mosisili-led seven-party government lost power after the snap 3 June 2017 elections to a four-party coalition led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
And in a letter issued by LAT Secretary-General Thaabe Kulehile, the union expresses hope that the new minister would “serve the teachers of this country with your commitment, compassion and sympathy”.
Dated 28 June 2017, part of the missive reads: “When this happens, you will clearly be setting a good precedence despite all the cruelties, ill- treatment, poor working conditions of our members, which we believe you will come up with improvement.”
Mr Kulehile then calls for a meeting to discuss their demands that include a salary structure review, amendment of the Education Act of 2010, review of principals’ contracts, cancellation of the Teaching Service Regulations 2016.
The teachers also want the government to pay their salaries arrears and for their alleged “ill treatment and disrespect” by the TSD to end among other issues.
Mr Kulehile also proposes 20 July 2017 as the date for the meeting “or the earliest time convenient to your good office”.
LAT Chairperson Maseru Branch Letsatsi Ntsibolane also told the Lesotho Times that the government’s refusal to pay for new qualifications was compromising the quality of education system.
“We feel that the ministry is compromising our education system by refusing to pay more for new qualifications,” he said.
“If the government wants quality education, they need to look at all the aspects, including properly remunerating teachers.”
Mr Moletsane confirmed to this publication yesterday receipt of the letter, and expressed an intention to meet the association. However, he would not be drawn to specify the date of the meeting.
