Maseru, Jan.09 — In a bid to ensure all children access education, the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development is continuing to provide bursaries to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) at secondary and high school level.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Mr. Pitso Lesaoana in his statement.
He indicated that applications for bursary commenced on January 02 at Ministry’s offices based in the districts, and at community councils, saying applications will be open until January 30 this year.
He highlighted that those who will be applying for the first time should be 24 years and below and are double orphans, single orphans, needy, abandoned, those with disabilities and have both parents but are vulnerable.
He mentioned that documents required for applications include amongst others, an application letter, certified copies of parent’s death certificates, confirmation letter from the chief, certified birth certificate of an applicant, Identity documents of parents and admission letter from the school.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Education and Training introduced the Basic Education Strengthening Project (BESP) in February 2022 with the objective to bring children who dropped out of school back into school.
Although the programme ended in March 2025, it was the supplement of OVC bursary and assisted children who were already under Child Grant Programme and were in Grade 7 and 8 as well as those who were supposed to commence grade 9.
It achieved notable progress in improving student retention, enhancing teaching quality, and supporting the rollout of a new curriculum, particularly in Early Childhood Development (ECD), with key accomplishments, which included a decrease in dropout rates, especially among vulnerable students and tuition fee top-ups amongst others.
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