Maseru, Jan.21—Despite the Ministry of Education and Training having assured of delivering stationery before schools opening, the Agency has learned that the ministry has to date delivered little to no stationery in schools across the country.
A week before schools opened Principal Secretary Mr. Rats’iu Majara had told the Agency that stationery was being distributed in all schools across the country but indicated that there would be delay as some of the suppliers had not delivered at all.
Speaking in an interview, Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT) Secretary General Mr. Letsatsi Ntsibolane told the Agency that they have received reports from some schools that the stationery delivered is not enough. He said in some schools where there is a roll of about 130 learners only 20 exercise books were delivered.
He said this is a serious issue saying it is a clear indication that Lesotho and the government does not take education seriously. He said he is worried that even this will end with some schools having not received the stationery.
Moreover, Mr. Molefi Ramainoane, Principal at Roma Primary School said stationery was delivered only yesterday saying some of the items such as mathematical instruments, rulers, charts, scissors and bostik have not been included. He said this is about the fifth year that there has been this shortage in stationery saying instead of the five exercise books that are initially needed, students have in recent years been getting two exercises instead.
He added that charts are very important learning materials especially for lower grades.
On the issue of food commodities, Mr. Ramainoane indicated that they were distributed before schools opened, therefore students have been receiving their meals from the first day of schooling.
Earlier commenting on why the ministry cannot hold suppliers accountable, Mr. Majara had indicated that there was a clause stipulating that for each delay, there should be a deduction of one percent daily from the supplier by the ministry but said they just discovered that their procurement has taken out the said clause. Therefore, he emphasised that they are working on measures to take procurement to task for such deeds.
He highlighted that in the previous year, there was also delay in distribution saying they had hoped this year things will be different.
He mentioned that Basotho suppliers had cried foul that the ministry does not give them jobs but now that they have been awarded, they fail dismally to deliver which he said goes against the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that educational needs are met and that students can continue their studies with the required resources.
Meanwhile the Lesotho government supplies schools with stationery to support free primary education, reduce the financial burden on poor families, ensure all children have basic learning materials, and promote equal access to quality education, with initiatives often targeting vulnerable students to build confidence and improve performance, although consistent delivery can be a challenge.
This supply is part of the government’s broader role in education policy and funding, alongside providing textbooks and paying teacher salaries, aiming to achieve quality education for all Basotho children.
Ends/ AT/BM
