Qacha’s Nek, July.23 — Two primary schools in Qacha’s Nek are set to receive new classrooms and toilet blocks through the first phase of the Lesotho Education Improvement Project (LEIP), a nationwide initiative supported by the World Bank to improve learning conditions in under-resourced schools.
Leseling RC will receive two new classrooms and toilets for both staff and learners, while Qacha’s Nek United ACL will get one classroom and a junior toilet block.
Announcing the development during a press conference in Maseru, Minister of Education and Training Professor Ntoi Rapapa said LEIP is a three-year programme starting this year, and its first phase targets 52 schools in the most critical condition.
“A national assessment was conducted to determine which schools lacked the most basic infrastructure,” he said.
According to Professor Rapapa, a total of 97 classrooms and 49 sanitation facilities will be constructed across the country in the current phase.
“Schools that were left out will be included in the next two phases of the project, scheduled for 2026/27 and 2027/28,” he said, adding: “I believe that if we work effectively with the support of both the government and funders, more schools will be built from scratch. This could attract additional investment, and I trust the ministry will deliver.”
He noted that a call for bids was published in a local newspaper last Friday, paving the way for contractors to begin bidding. “This process will also create much-needed jobs for Basotho within their communities,” he said. . . .
Ends/MAPM
