Education System in Lesotho

They also provide funds for all the improvements that are being planned in the field of Lesotho education. The main stress is given upon the enhancement of quality and standard of education. The history of modern form of Lesotho education can be traced back to the 19th and 20th century, when the missionaries came to the country.

According to the 2006 record, there were 1,477 primary schools in Lesotho providing basic education to around 430,000 students. The number of secondary schools in the country is 256, where approximately 93,096 students get educated. Less than 90% of the schools of Lesotho are owned by churches.

The government has made it mandatory for the children between 6 and 13 years old to go to school. The medium of instruction of Lesotho education are Sesotho and English. There is also 1 polytechnic college, 1 teacher training college and 1 university in Lesotho.

Lesotho education is expanding its wing with each surpassing day and opportunities to develop the education programs are enhanced by implementing certain projects. Schools of higher education are promoted throughout the country. Few of the renowned higher education centers in Lesotho include the following:

• National University of Lesotho
• National University of Lesotho International School
• Lesotho Agricultural College

The vocational and technical centers are expanded and various equipments have been installed for workshops and libraries. The main goal of Lesotho educational authority lies in the overall development of education system in Lesotho leading to the production of skilled manpower. Some of the most important aspects that are taken care of in the educational system of Lesotho are as follows:

• To create appropriate skills at technical, occupational and managerial levels
• Create active participation and coordination of all strata of the educational system
• To make education easily accessible to all
• To develop cultural and educational values and activities through education

Unlike many other developing countries, the educational system of Lesotho has active participation of women. The overall literacy rate of Lesotho is 84.8%. It is 74.5% among male, while 94.5% of women are literate.

National University of Lesotho

National University of Lesotho plays an important role in Lesotho education and is considered to be one of the best universities of the country. The university is situated in Roma, a city located 34 km southeast of Lesotho’s capital city Maseru. The strategic location of National University of Lesotho makes it easily accessible from all parts of the country and also increases the possibility of international connectivity. National University of Lesotho campus currently covers an area of about 80 hectare. The university is a member of a number of associations, some of which are:

• International Association of Universities
• Association of Commonwealth Universities
• Association of Eastern and Southern African Universities
• Association of African Universities
• History of National University of Lesotho

The beginning of National University of Lesotho dates back to 8th April, 1945 with the establishment of a Catholic University at Roma. The Catholic University College was founded in a remote valley in a provisional primary school edifice at Roma Mission situated at a distance of 34 kilometers from Maseru.

In the year 1946, the College was shifted to the current site for which 52 acres of land was allocated to the college by the Paramount Chief. The Pius XII College used to prepare the students for getting University of South Africa’s external degrees. In 1954, Pius XII College got the status of “Associate College”. Pius XII College was replaced by non-denominational, independent University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and eSwatini (Swaziland) on 1st January, 1964. The institution was renamed University of Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini (Swaziland) after Lesotho’s independence in 1966.

On 20th October 1975, it was decided that National University of Lesotho would be set up on the university ground of the former University of Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini (Swaziland) or U.B.L.S at Lesotho. National University of Lesotho dwells in the same location and has the same buildings and grounds of its heirs, Pius XII College and U.B.L.S.

Faculties and facilities at the National University of Lesotho

The faculties of National University of Lesotho include the following:

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Social Science
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Science and Technology
• Faculty of Health Science
• Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
• Faculty of Humanities

These faculties are further categorized into several departments.

Some of the facilities provided by The National University of Lesotho to its students include the following:

• Students’ Complex or Mzalas
• Several Libraries
• Basketball Courts
• Volleyball Courts

The different libraries of National University of Lesotho are scattered across the different campuses of this educational institution in Lesotho. Among these, the Thomas Mofolo Library is the main library of the university and is situated within the main campus in Roma.

Contact Detail of the National University of Lesotho

The National University of Lesotho can be contacted at the following address:

The National University of Lesotho
P.O. Roma 180
Maseru 100
Telephone : 34 0601
Telegrams: Uniter, Roma, Lesotho
Telex: 4303 LO
Telefax: 340000

National University of Lesotho International School

National University of Lesotho International School plays an important role in Lesotho education. The school was set up in the early 1960s. The National University of Lesotho International School is one of the many institutions acting under the National University of Lesotho. It is also located within the main campus of the university. Apart from the courses offered there, the convenient location of National University of Lesotho International School has also added to its popularity.

The International School of National University of Lesotho is divided into some sections. The Primary School Leaving Examination is offered to the students of 1st to 7th standard. Students from 8th to 11th standard can sit for the IGCSE. The National University of Lesotho International School has an international standard and has achieved recognition from the European and African academic bodies.

National University of Lesotho International School in Lesotho, also known as NUILS has received guidance from several able principals and teachers. Roshan S. Fitter has been one of the best principals who had headed the school for a long term. Under her guidance the school, which used to be a small primary school, turned into one of the leading primary and secondary schools of the country.

National University of Lesotho International School with its international reputation plays an important role in shaping the career of the future citizens of the country.