Mohale’s Hoek, Feb.12 — Lesotho Evangelical Church In Southern Africa (LECSA) Conference Meeting (Komiti Ea Seboka) has paid over M200,770.00, to the Examination Council Of Lesotho, (Ecol) for the results of about 63 LGSCE learners to be released.
This has been confirmed by the Chairman of the Board at Likuena High School, Mrs. ‘Mampoi Theko, by noting that parents knowing very well that it is against the Ministry of Education and Training Policy to pay the examinations fee to the school, did so, leading to the above mentioned money not reaching Ecol, which in return withheld the results.
“The board held 2 meetings with parents to warn them not to give money to anyone, but pay it straight into Ecol’s account, but they did not listen, now the board is in this mess because of them,” Mrs. Theko further stated.
In addition, Lesotho Evangelical Church In Southern African Schools Secretary, Mr. Moses Phole expressed his disappointment regarding the matter.
“I am no exception in this whole mess, and I am so disheartened that it occurred under my oversight but we have all learned the hard way,” he reiterated.
Mr. Phole further indicated that the board still has to determine as to what happened with the money, as parents have put their trust in principals.
On the other hand, one of the parents, Mr. Motebang Rakotsoana appreciated the education office, the school board and the leadership of the church for making efforts in ensuring that learners get their results, noting this shows that as parents they are not being taken for granted.
When asked why parents ignored the board’s advice to never pay money to the school, Rakotsoane said that they were not informed on time before examinations, as children were only told verbally that money would be paid using mobile money, but when parents demanded an explanation the principal would tell them to leave money with him he will process the payments.
Furthermore, in an interview with Likuena High School Principal, Mr. Thabo Lekhooana whose parents claimed to have paid the money into his mobile money account, asserted that he will be in position to comment when the school has submitted a report to the board.
Moreover, Ecol’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Khoabane Mokhitli previously asserted that plans are in the pipelines to use various radio stations with the purpose of sensitizing parents and schools on legal ways of paying examinations fees.
End/MAMO/tl