Machabeng sets up taskforce over salary row
MASERU — Machabeng College has established a special taskforce to deal with the salary disparities between local and expatriate teachers.
Headmaster Bruce Gilbert said the school board established the task team after local teachers raised complaints about the differences between their salaries and those of expatriate teachers.
Gilbert said the school was aware that some of the local teachers had raised the same concerns in a letter to the Ministry of Education.
The disparities, Gilbert said, are causing “some discomfort” among staff at the college.
“The board has recognised the problem and is committed to resolving it,” he said in an interview with the Lesotho Times on Tuesday.
“This is a fundamental concern. It’s only fair that when you have the same qualification you earn the same salaries.”
The team is expected to present its findings to the school board sometime next month.
“It could be soon after Easter or at the end of the month,” Gilbert said.
Teachers who spoke to this paper this week said there was tension at the college over salaries.
They described relations between the local and expatriate staff as “strained”.
There was speculation last week that some expatriates could be leaving the school because of sour relations between locals and expatriates.
The speculation was triggered by a vacancies advert the school posted in local newspapers this week.
The school invited applications for Mathematics, History, Geography, English, French, Business Studies teachers.
It did not specify the number of vacancies available but gave room for applications for subjects it described only as “others”.
That, one teacher said, is an indication that the school is not sure how many expatriate teachers will leave the school in August when the school’s year begins.
Gilbert however said there was nothing peculiar about the number of vacancies available.
He said only eight teachers out a staff complement of 55 are leaving in August. Just over a third of the teachers at the college are expatriates.
Gilbert said there was nothing alarming about the staff turnover.
“That is the nature of international schools. Last year six teachers left and the year before the number was almost the same,” Gilbert said.
“Such a turnover is therefore normal for an international school. International teachers normally spend between two and five years at a school.”
He however said it was possible that some of those teachers could be leaving because they are uncomfortable with the atmosphere at the college.
Comment by Ati on 21 March 2013:
NE ke le joetse hore Machabeng e tla wela, lea re tebela ha le bona chelete ea Man power, ke mo Gilbert o e jele joale o sa sitoa ho patala. lol. i wish this could continue. Fall MAch fall!!
Comment by Bobete on 21 March 2013:
this scenario happens all over that expatriates are paid better than locals even when they possess same qualifications. fix it
Comment by Lesolle on 21 March 2013:
Ke ha tali na Lesotho mo? Llllllllllllllek
Comment by Masiba on 21 March 2013:
Ke ne ke nahanne ho apolaela e ‘ngoe ea li post tseo joale ke utloa ke khathala matla ke maemo ana a bosula a lipatala. Haekhona joale tjena
Comment by Lekhoakhoa on 22 March 2013:
Well @Masiba if you were serious about applying for a job there, you would not be writing about it in Lesotho Times. I do not think you can compare a degree from NUL and a degree from other universities. Please people this is our only old international school do not destroy it?
Comment by Lerato on 22 March 2013:
For Us to have International schools, we need international teachers with international exposure! Ask some of your friends who’re in embassies who had their children in local schools… they are struggling, a friend of mine had to put her child a class or two down in order to catch up, ngoana o ne a tsoa Pethahatso and could not cope ha a fihla oveaseas standard sa hae se le tlase!. Therefore we need international teachers with international experience and exposure. In order to attract them to come to Lesotho we of course need to give them attractive salaries. Why would any one leave his/her country to earn lesser salary or lesser standard of leaving????
Comment by Mapingu on 22 March 2013:
Yes, we need to look at deliverables – just having a paper pronouncing one to hold BSc or something of that sort is not enough. Here, we have many examples of people who hold higher qualifications on paper yet when it cames to guaging their knowledge and delivery capcity by whatever measure they actually fail to match people from other countries with strong education systems who may even hold lower qualification than theirs.
For examle, I many know very well of one department at NUL where most Masters students who are supervised by local PhD holders are always failed by external assessors, while those supervised by Masters holders from other countries are passed by the sasme external assessors. Also in another NUL example to illustrate the same point: we foreign academics with masters degrees researching and publishing more than their local collegues with PhDs, and even attaining professorships while those PhD holders don’t even hope to attain it for rest of their lives in the academia.
I’m saying ceratinly remuneration needs to be linked to delivery; a mere piece of paper calling one a Doctor, or whatever Title is not enough. The big questions which will haunt us though for a long long time, or even may the whole developing world in general, is: Who will assess who? Do we have capacity to assess each other coorectly and fairly.Do we have the will to give to Ceasar what Ceasar deserves? etc.
In most cases in don’t find the organizations the would be assessors are the completely blind ones and the assessees are the half-blind ones.
So, in this particula case, the question is: Is there (at this School) any systematic assessment that was used to remunerate all locals lower than their counterparts? It would be very informing for the government to look at their model, if they have one (which I doubt very much) so that may be it can also be applied in other schools and other institutions if judged to be rational and fair. I’m saying this because in this country i’m not aware of institutions were performance based remuneration is being applied. But, my fear is wether some our sisters and brothers in some public institutions would really deserve a cent as salary. So, lets beware of some of those implications of some of those noble proposals.
Comment by livoski on 22 March 2013:
What else do you expect from a colonial school?
Comment by snooker on 22 March 2013:
it s true that expatriate teachers are generally paid more than locals allover the world. however we should pay for quality teachers. in machabeng we have a completely hopeless, useless expatriate english teacher. she has not taught us the whole year and now we have the finals coming and we are going to fail but the administration does nt care or doesnt know. we have hardly covered a literature text book. our course work was never supervised or marked. it s a shame she is not going to be here when the results come out. Good riddance to her. i will miss some of the expatriates though
Comment by Observer on 22 March 2013:
You make it sound like the international teachers have issues with local teacher’s quest for better terms; they don’t! They take offence at the inappropriate, racist and underhanded manner that has been adopted to try and force change.
Comment by butternut on 23 March 2013:
Go to any international school in any country and you will find that expat teachers earn a higher salary than local teachers. Why? Firstly, they have international experience. They have taught in one or more countries where they gained experience in different teaching methods, working in different environments and dealing with learners from different cultural backgrounds. Secondly, they are being paid extra because they are not in their home country. That is why at international schools, teachers are given accommodation and even given an international allowance. Also, even local teachers earn more by teaching at international schools in their own country, than at a government school.
This is the standard practice at all international schools all over the world. Shouldn’t the same apply to Machabeng, which prides itself as an ‘international’ school?
True, not all international teachers are good teachers, but that is why they are given contracts. These contracts usually entails that there is a probation period and that teachers can be asked to leave if their work is not up to standard. So, why is it a problem here?
Over the years, Machabeng have not applied standard practices when it comes to their appointment of teachers. How is that some local teachers at Machabeng live in school accommodation? Why is it that certain expat teachers are teaching here for over 20 years?
So let’s call a spade a spade. It is very clear that certain people don’t want expat teachers at the school. Look at the ‘racism’ letter that was written by a local teacher at the school to parents. It’s been months since this incident and since then nothing has been done to bring this teacher to order. Is this professional? Is this ethical? So, why is nothing done about it? What has this done to the credibility of this ‘international’ school? Go look at the records and see how many international learners have left the school. Why?
It’s sad to see that a school with so much potential are being destroyed by the actions of certain individuals. Wake up Lesotho, you have a lot to learn about international schools.
Comment by snooker on 23 March 2013:
this is snooker once again. i was so involved with the English teacher and i forgot how my classmates are complaining about their chemistry teaching. again it s an expatriate who fortunately went on maternity leave. they have complained to the management but nothing has been done. to make it worse when they thought they were getting a new teacher,the jumped from the pot to the fire. the school hired a physics teacher who knows no chemistry and now they also feel they are going are going to fail as we are starting our exams in less than 2 months. the public should not make comments on what they don’t understand.most expert teachers are good and we are happy to have them but please give us quality teachers. in english my clasmates have a zimbabwean, a ghananian,and a mosotho teacher and they a well ahead of us.
Comment by SEKALALA on 23 March 2013:
in machabeng it looks like ‘white’ means expatriate, while ‘black’ means local. a black teacher hired from lets say Jamaika will turn out to be local and a white bloke from ladybrand will be an expatriate.
Comment by My mother said on 23 March 2013:
What I learnt when I was a student in Lesotho was that when it got closer to the exams those who had not studied all year would start a strike, I hope @Snooker you are not falling into that trap. I can only advice you to go back to your books and study. Having had links with Machabeng I feel so sad because it is a good school, most of the students who came from there are all over the world and are doing well in their careers. People will always resent Schools like Machabeng and it happens all over the world.
Comment by Patrick on 24 March 2013:
Go visit the school records and find out how qualified those local teachers are. They have got senior degrees from various countries. some have three to four degrees, all educational. That just goes to show that those teachers are academically diverse and can therefore deliver even better given a chance to do so in different areas. It is unfortunate that basotho tend to judge people at face value because of their preconceived ideas.
Comment by Maggie on 24 March 2013:
I see no reason why there should be tension amongst teachers, if people are demanding same pay for the same qualifications and experience. Not unless these teachers are being picked up from the streets and pubs and could be scared of exposure. when reality sets in some people get highly scared. This is the time for revelation. The ministry of Education needs to intervene otherwise let Machabeng be run by the Public Service commission………
The truth shall always prevail regardless of colour, religion, gender, age or creed.
Comment by Cheescake on 24 March 2013:
Come on Butternut the arguement is not about international experience because most of those local teachers have international experience. most locals have been to Zimbabwe, South Africa etc, some of the expatriates have been employed in Lesotho when initially they came as peace corps or accompanying their spouses, without any educational experiences. besides most of the students are locals and need someone who has a similar cultural background while still maintaining diversity.
The argument now is not about allowances or houses as it may appear because even their salaries are two folds or more as compared to the local teachers. As for the part about racisim MR/Miss Butternut you seem to take it too far because some of the expatriates hustle students and call them names.
As for the letter that we as parents recieved, there was no racial connotation in the letter, but oinstead it gave us a shocking revelation of what has been happening for ages under our noses.
Some of us were Machabeng Students and now Machabeng parents and we have been hit with a grim reality check.
As for the matter regarding International students leaving the school, the possibility could have been due to embarrassment of personalities such as yours.
By the way for your information the school standards are by far still the highest and best in the IB schools.
Comment by Check Mate on 24 March 2013:
@ Butternut, we have long learnt about internatiol education. If I am the product of Machabeng International School and my child is looking forward to being one, it shows that i/we have long been conscientised and qualified enough to fit in the international World. What we wont take is draining money out of our strained economic country through poor teaching, unknown qualifications and people taking offence when reality has been revealed.
Comment by Lekhoakhoa on 24 March 2013:
I always assumed that international school expatriate teachers were paid more than the local teachers, as we go to their countries recruiting them to come to our country or have things changed? We ask for international school experience, not just masters from NUL? Can someone tell us where in the world have these local teachers taught please? Local teachers who work for Machabeng get paid more than other teachers in the country, This kind of thing happens all over the world.
I was shocked when I tried to send a child that I am sponsoring to Machabeng and everybody said no, not Machabeng, this was a shock to me because I always assumed that it was the best in the country, what has changed is it politics? It sounds like we are going the African way.
Comment by Bean Counter on 25 March 2013:
@Ati you are accusing someone of stealing, I hope you have evidence to back up your claim. If there was a grain of truth to it don’t you think the Board would have ordered a forensic audit? Or then again perhaps they are trying to avoid one at all cost in fear or knowledge of what it such a review could expose. As is the case in point with their neigbours!
If I was a stakeholder and/or in position of power I would fight for a full forensic audit, by a truly external, unbiased and reputable organisation and give them broad powers going back 10 years at least!
Comment by Lefefooane on 25 March 2013:
Our constitution does not allow segregation of people by their races. For any of you who seem to condone the idea of the so-called expatriate earning more is because you have not felt the wrath of being segregated not because of your inability but because of your race. I wonder if in South Africa the idea of paying white people simply because they are white would fly. Just look at Israel and Palestine. Nxa. It is said when the school built by our own taxes is being used to drive the shameful colonial mentality. That school is a government school funded by the Lesotho government ministry of education hence surely the ministry must intervene and stop that rot. If atleast they were paying Science and Maths teachers more than language teachers then I would understand. Now this thing of paying Makwerekwre more than Basotho is an insult to my m,other land and must stop. Just even look at the colonial vernacular being used, Local vs international. What is this sh**t of referring to our schools as local. This is pathetic and any Mostoho person using this vernacular should be ashamed. Imagine South Africans c;laiming to be going to Africa when they travel to Lesotho or Swaziland. Nxa. Stupid.
Comment by mymothersaid on 25 March 2013:
Hahaha @Lefefooane, I worked in South Africa, my filing clerk earned more than me, because she was white. In the end I left. At the same time if the Makwerekwere have more experience and qualifications and have been recruited from abroad then they should earn more.
Comment by Lefefooane on 26 March 2013:
@mymothersaid, you missed my point. I will repeat. Our constitution and that of South Africa does not allow segregation based on race. If you filling clerk earned more than you simply because she was white it was unconstitutional and wrong. She ought to earn more than you based on merit and not based on skin colour. Again, we really have no business paying mankwesta more our Basotho people simply because ba nkha mofufutso. We should ignore taba tsa mofufutso re shebe mangole, experence and competence when we remunerate. Gone are the times when people earned more because they were pink. Ironically here at home there is some calture of paying people more if they smell more sweat. That should not be allowed. Employers should reward Skill, qualification and competence regardless of skin colour. Ke ‘na ea chong. Mosiche!!!
Comment by MOSOTHO IN LONDON on 26 March 2013:
A SHOA MR PHILLIP MACHABENG YA WELA!!!!!!!!! HAUWA HLE MMOPI
Comment by Maddog on 26 March 2013:
@Mapingu
Ehlile u bua ‘nete education system ea Lesotho is very poor. Ke pakeloa le ke kamoo u ngotseng sekhooa se potang kateng fela u na le masters or PhD. Ehlile expatriates ba pataloa meputso e holimo ho feta locals linaheng tse ngata. Joale taba ke hore na salary gap eo ea Machabeng ke ee kae. Haeba ke gap e fetang 30%, teng mathata a maholo hobane ekaba unfair ka tsela e joalo.
@Lefefooane
Bothata ba hau bo boholo ke lehloeo leo u nang le lona batho ba bang ba ts’oanang le uena ka ‘mala eleng ma-Africa a mang. Hana lekoerekoere ha le ile sekolong, le na le experience le international exposure e hlokoang ke Lesotho, eena ha a lokeloe ke ho amohela salary e fetang ea Mosotho hobaneng, haeba lekhooa leo u le ratang le khola salary e fetang ea Mosotho? Uena bothata bo bong ba hau ke ho hloea lipuo, ‘me kea ipotsa hore na ebe u rutiloe ho bua ke mang, ebe u rutiloe ho ngola ke bo mang bana bao u ba tellang hakana hoo ebileng u reng bona ba tlameha ho khola hanyane, ba li-science ba khole haholo. Bophoqo ba hau ke ba hore u nahana hore science e betere ho batho bohle, ‘me hoo ke bophoqo hobane science eo ea hau e ratoa ke ba e ratang, ha e ratoe ke batho bohle joalokaha u nahana. Ebe o teng motho eaka tsebang ho bala kapa ho ngola science eo ea hau haeba a sa rutoa ho ngola puo pele? Ke bona bothoto ba Mosotho ea senang kelello joaloka uena, u nahana fats’e joaloka khoho. Ntho’e ‘mgoe le e ‘ngoe e bohlokoa lefats’eng mona, u ratang kapa u sa rateng.
Comment by Maddog on 26 March 2013:
@Lefefooane
Even today, in South Africa white people still earn more salaries than black people regardless their qualifications. It is just like that, whether you like it or not. Hahahaha! COSATU tried so many times to fight that unfairness that continue causing inequalities, but all to hell. Constitution or no constitution, whites still earn more than blacks!!!
Comment by Tlhase on 27 March 2013:
Machabeng has already setup a task-force to look into these discrepancies so ha hona litaba mona!
Comment by MosothoInBelgium on 27 March 2013:
@lerato-u are wrong, an international teachers exposure has nothing to do with what’s taught in class. each international school is given a syllabus which they follow and it’s the same syllabus for all international schools around the world. i’m a product of machabeng international school of lesotho and, i’m currently teaching at an international school abroad. as an expatriate teacher, i’m getting paid more than local teachers.
@ati-o bitter bitter. joale ur bitterness etla o kenya ka hare. u are nowing accusing someone of stealing money!!!! chesaaa!!! know as a child growing up u would have killed to get the opportunity to study there. ha sea oela. it’s an international school so it’s monitored by a board of international schools which will forever maintain their standard.
@livoski-o bonts’a bo ts’erets’ere ba hao with ur comment!
Comment by Lekhoakhoa on 27 March 2013:
Unfortunately they are already losing students, which is a shame. I would have killed to have had an opportunity to study there. Apparently most people are now sending their children to other schools, including Lesotho High School, who would have thought eh!