Maseru, Jan 04 —- Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Mr. Pitso Lesaoana says the Government of Lesotho in partnership with the World Bank will give M1500 to 9000 new students for the 2024 academic year.
In a statement made on state owned Lesotho Television (LTV) on Wednesday night, the Minister said the sponsorship will only be given to the children who already receive government social grants and sponsorships, who are doing grade 8 and 9 who are not in school due to various needy reasons and are unable to pay school fees.
The Minister further said the government is still continuing to pay social grants depending on the dates given to each district, but explained that due to the financial system attack on the Integrated Financial Management System, the payment process is slow and therefore apologised for any inconvenience.
He also officially announced that the government of Lesotho will still give bursaries to the needy children for Secondary and High School students.
Mr. Lesaoana said the Government of Lesotho has established the sponsorship fund to assist the needy and vulnerable children at Secondary and High School level in order to make education accessible to all which is the policy.
“Applications are now open for the public to apply for the needy and vulnerable children at the Social Development offices at the Community Councils and that the deadline is January 31 this year,” he highlighted.
He stated that only double orphans, orphans, disabled children, children abandoned by their parents and those who still have both parents but still unable to afford school fees could apply.
Every year the Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Social Development assists vulnerable and needy children with sponsorship in order to enable them to go to school like other children in the country.
The Government introduced Free Primary and Compulsory Education in 2000 but at Secondary and High School there is only subvention of textbooks and stationery.