QACHA’S NEK — When inmate Nqafunoa Janki of Qhoalinyane arrived at Qacha’s Nek Correctional Facility, he could not even write his own name. Today, he proudly declared, “I now know how to write all my three names.”
Janki shared his story during the International Literacy Day celebration held at the correctional facility on Wednesday, hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). His testimony captured the spirit of this year’s theme, “Learning for life, work and community empowerment.”
Qacha’s Nek District Correctional Facility is one of ten literacy-learning posts across nine regions in the district. At present, five inmates are enrolled. For Janki, the program has transformed daily life.
“Now I am able to see different things. Education is very important because once I am released, I will not go to my neighbor to help me recharge airtime on my phone or read messages for me. I will do things myself. I indeed saw the importance of this program,” he said.
He encouraged other inmates to join, assuring them they too would be helped.
He credits LCS Learning Post Administrator (teacher), Tumelo Mabaleka, for guiding him through his first steps—literally helping him write his name.
The event linked Qacha’s Nek with global literacy efforts. While International Literacy Day is officially observed from September 8, this year it was marked in Australia.
In Lesotho, the national celebration will take place in Butha-Buthe, while at district level it will be observed at Ha Rapase, Linakeng on September 19 (Friday).
According to Mrs. ’Mamokone Mathaha, MoET Non-Formal Education Trainer under the Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC), the theme reflects the dual purpose of non-formal education: building basic literacy while also equipping learners with practical skills such as handicrafts and product-making to earn a living. . . .
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