A classroom at Maseru Qoaling School, Lesotho (2009). Credit: World Bank / John Hogg

Partner since:

Total grant support: US$52,579,587

Grant eligibility:

  • Multiplier
  • System capacity
  • System transformation

Partnership Compact

Priority: Enhance the quality of teaching and learning for improved learning attainment in basic education, focusing on the most marginalized learners.

Other key documents

Coordinating agency: Lesotho Council of NGOs, UNICEF

GPE Team lead: Esohe Joan Eigbike

Transforming education in Lesotho

Lesotho made primary education free and compulsory in 2010, leading to higher enrollment. However, secondary enrollment remains low, due to insufficient school infrastructure, the cost of school fees and supplies, and limited interest in schooling, in some areas.

At the foundations, limited access to quality school-based early childhood education affected childrens’ readiness for learning. Lesotho’s 2021 national assessment shows that only 40% of grade 4 students had basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The government is working with GPE and other partners to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for improved learning attainment in basic education, focusing on the most marginalized learners.

Lesotho’s Partnership Compact marks the country’s commitment to achieve large-scale and sustainable change by ensuring all children acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills. The priority reform is organized around three outcomes:

  1. Increased equitable access to early childhood education to improve school readiness;
  2. Enhanced quality and efficiency of primary and lower secondary education for improved learning outcomes; and
  3. Strengthened evidence to support learning and its use in education policy and planning.

Result story

Roger Federer appeals for scaling up early education in Lesotho

On a recent visit, the philanthropist and retired tennis star made an appeal to stakeholders across the country to unite with the common goal of making quality preschool education a reality for every child.

Key data

14%

out-of-school rate for children of lower-secondary school age

98%

of primary teachers have the minimum required qualifications

16%

of government expenditure on education

Grants

(data as of October 07, 2024)

 
  • Type: Multiplier

    Years: 2024 - 2027

    Allocation: US$2,500,000

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Multiplier

    Years: 2024 - 2026

    Allocation: US$2,500,000

    Utilization: US$3,928

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2023 - 2026

    Allocation: US$1,600,000

    Utilization: US$168,954

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2022 - 2025

    Allocation: US$7,500,000

    Utilization: US$4,809,212

    Grant agent: WB

Civil society engagement

As part of its investment in civil society advocacy and social accountability efforts, GPE’s Education Out Loud fund is supporting:

  • The Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN) for the 2020-2023 period. This builds on previous support from the Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF).
  • The Transnational Networks Advocacy Capacity strengthened for improved ECDE legislation, policies and measures in Southern Africa (TRANAC) led by Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development (ZINECDA) for the 2021-2023 period.

Learn more

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