Training

Although Lesotho is a poor country, almost nine out of ten adults can read and write. It was largely Christian missionaries who gave residents of the area a chance to educate. Even today, the churches run many of the country’s schools with contributions from the state.

Officially, there is compulsory schooling between the ages of 6 and 13 and schooling must be free of charge. However, this does not look the case in reality. Many poor families choose to keep their children at home to breed livestock and participate in agriculture. It is above all boys who may refrain from schooling. In 2009, almost three out of four Lesothian children started school. Although not all children receive teaching, there is a shortage of teachers. Many teachers have died as a result of the AIDS epidemic.

• COUNTRYAAH: Country facts of Lesotho, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.

After primary school, students can continue to higher stages for a total of five years. Fewer than one in three students started studies at this level in 2009 and even fewer completed them.

Lesotho’s only university is in Roma, outside the capital Maseru. There, about 1,700 students are enrolled each year. Many lesbian youth study abroad, mainly in South Africa.

• Topmbadirectory: Offers information about politics, geography, and known people in Lesotho.

FACTS – EDUCATION

Proportion of children starting primary school

80.9 percent (2017)

Number of pupils per teacher in primary school

33 (2017)

Reading and writing skills

76.6 percent (2014)

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP

24.7 percent (2008)

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of the state budget

24.7 percent (2008)

2011

September

Trial of attempted murder

The trial begins against eight men who are accused of the attempted murder of Prime Minister Mosisili two years earlier.

2009

April

Attempt to murder against Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mosisili unscathed escapes a suspected murder attempt, as unknown perpetrators shoot him at his home in Maseru. Four perpetrators are killed at the time. The Minister of Communications says the attackers are foreign mercenaries hired to overthrow the government.