Unions helpless on teacher-student love affairs

'We can only take action if the members violate the union constitution but when they violate the code of ethics of their profession, there is little that we can do,' said the Botswana Secondary Teachers' Union (BOSETU) president, Eric Ditau.

'There is nothing we can do as unions except to talk to the teachers concerned and remind them of the code of ethics,' he added. He said because of the prevalence of teacher-student/pupil sexual affairs, they have found it necessary to propose a professional body for teachers just like that of nurses to deal with the problem. 'If a teacher does not adhere to the ethics of the profession, then action could be taken against him or her after disciplinary hearings. Such relationships (sexual) do not discredit the unions but discredit the profession.'

The Botswana Teachers' Union (BTU) president, Japhter Radibe, shared the same sentiments. He stated that when teachers report that they are being probed over sexual affairs with pupils and students, the union embarks on its own investigations. 'We do this because someone could be accused by people working on suspicions. We cannot protect the teachers because that would be doing injustice to the students who are being violated,' the unionist said.

Radibe indicated that it is difficult to deal with the love affairs that develop during trips for extra-curricular activities. 'When they are reported to us, they are already at an advanced stage. We as a union must get all the facts before we take any decisions. We do not have a right to suspend or terminate the membership of the concerned teachers,' he said.

Professor Richard Tabulawa, a lecturer at the University of Botswana, said that there is no justification for the teacher-student relationships. 'It does not matter because the students have been put in their custody and if they turn around and use these children for their sexual gratification, it becomes something else that cannot be tolerated,' he said. He indicated that teenagers are confused and the love relationships with teachers distract them from their learning.

He pointed out that teachers who engage in love affairs with students and pupils should be punished severely as long as there is evidence that they are guilty. 'I wish the nation could come up with a law to restrain elders not just teachers from engaging in sexual relationship with students regardless of their age. We cannot fail in this as a nation if we are determined,' Tabulawa stated. He said there is debate on the issue but no one is listening and may be some people have a vested interest.

He explained that a teachers' council should be established to deal with the situation. 'That would remove the burden from the ministry that is always at loggerheads with the unions over performance of some teachers. The Ministry of Education is growing in complexity and need an independent body,' he said.