VALUE OF TEACHING DEGREE IN SD?

Sir,

Thank you for allowing me to air my views on the pedigree at which a Teaching Degree is viewed by the relevant authorities in this kingdom. Government has declared some of its ministerial departments as a top priority in its quest towards 2022; such as health, education, security and tourism. 

Against this backdrop, a number of teachers have taken it upon themselves to further their studies with their little hard earned monies. This they do cognisant of the role they’re required to play as responsible citizens towards Vision 2022. It is in that vein that most educators are upgrading themselves: seeing the need in schools to circumvent the ‘achievement gap’ and become relevant to contemporary pedagogy.

It must be clear to all that possessing a BA Degree isn’t a luxury but a must in order to produce competent pupils who, after being exposed to quality teaching, add value to the country. The spin-offs of such initiatives are an optimised human development index (HDI) of the kingdom. It is disheartening, however, to note that in a sudden turn of events, government is doing the exact opposite of what it told the nation.  Teachers, BA holders, BA, PGCE and B.

Ed Primary holders are asking themselves what exactly have they done to this government. Out of all the government portfolios in the country, why are they the only ones subjected to such grossly unfair labor practice (ULP)? In the Ministry of Education it is not an anomaly for these educators to be paid on a diploma scale of C3. According to our government paying scale, a degreed teacher with a post graduate certificate in education is supposed to be paid on a C5 scale. Then, a question arises: why is such injustice done to these qualified teachers?

A case in point on this glaring pay differential is that a teacher with a diploma in primary school is paid at the same scale with one who holds a diploma teaching in secondary school. It is absurd that government, as an employer, is at the forefront in flouting established labour frameworks in properly remunerating these teachers. The ‘favour’ argument is one that is yet to stand the litmus paper test as an annexure in the pay differentials by these educators. Such pronouncements deserve the highest degree of rebuke.

It is still unheard of on why our government is paying teachers at primary schools who have degrees according to the post instead of paying them according to their qualifications.

As a country, we are looking forward to producing skilled personnel towards 2022: Top notch engineers, doctors, technicians, etc. One may even ask himself/herself if this dream is possible or it will remain just a dream.  It is incumbent upon the relevant authorities to engage in a productive discourse towards finding a harmonious solution to this impasse before all hell breaks loose.

Abused Swazi educator

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