Free education becomes legally compulsory in Lesotho
Monday, 17 May 2010

In a milestone effort to advance progress towards universal primary education, the Government of Lesotho recently enacted the Education Act 2010, legalising the right to free and compulsory education.


Free and compulsory education becomes a reality through the Education Act 2010.Free primary education (FPE) was introduced in the year 2000 as a major strategy towards achieving the Education for All (EFA) goals. This initially led to rapid increase in the net enrollment rate, which currently stands at 82% of primary school aged children.

Lesotho's prospects of achieving the Millennium Development Goals of universal primary education (MDG2) and eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education (MDG3) are promising.

"This law will give a major boost to education; it is a critical step forward in reaching the remaining 18% of the most vulnerable children who are still out of school. The next phase of implementation is the most decisive stage to ensure the fundamental right to free and compulsory education is fully realized" said Dr. Ahmed Magan, UNICEF Lesotho Representative.

Lesotho has one of the highest proportions of orphans in the world, at 12% of the population, and the third highest prevalence of HIV, with young generations being the most affected and at risk. "We need to ensure that children are fully equipped with the means to make healthy and informed decisions that will improve the quality of their lives, and school plays a major role to achieve this" says Dr. Magan.

Making sure all children are in school is an important first step, but it does not necessarily mean they are being educated. "Continued investment in the quality of education is critical and promoting proper financing for quality education, even during times of economic turmoil, is a means of promoting sustainable development of individuals and societies" says Dr. Magan.

"Lesotho cares about education. The Government is spending more on public education as a percentage of GNP than almost every other African country and is making sure girls and boys are being educated in equal numbers. Education is crucial to ensure human capital development." says Dr. Magan.

The entering into force of the Education Act 2010, making free primary education compulsory, is a landmark for Lesotho. Currently UNICEF and other partners are supporting the development of school management regulations that will translate the Act into implementable systems and structures.

AFRICAN GOOD NEWS