Africa-Press – Lesotho. Council of Higher Education (CHE) has appointed Quality Assurance Ambassadors who will ensure that institutes of higher learning offer quality education to all.
According to CHE Chief Executive (CE) Dr Litšabako Ntoi, the selected ambassadors had the privilege of studying abroad and served in institutes of higher education and therefore are trusted to know and value quality education.
She explained that CHE is mandated to monitor the implementation of the policy of higher education in all institutions in this country. “CHE publishes
information regarding education developments on regular basis, its mandate is to promote access of student to higher education institutions, it is our
responsibility as CHE to promote quality assurance on higher education, it is also our responsibility to audit quality assurance in higher education institution.
The other function of CHE is to accredit programs,” Ntoi explained. To officiate the ambassadorship of the appointed candidates, the Minister of Education and Training Hon.
‘Mamookho Phiri noted that quality is a pillar of education in any country and
any aspect of life. She added that education is the foundation of good citizenry, sound service delivery in both public and private sectors, as well as advancement in all spheres.
When addressing the ambassadors she said their appointment as Quality Assurance Ambassadors at CHE comes at the right time given the challenges that education is faced with in
the country and the Covid-19 pandemic which has imposed changes on how teaching and learning take place. “All institutions are compelled by the prevailing circumstances to seriously
consider blended learning. While approaches to teaching and learning may change, quality is a constant which should be maintained at the same level at
all times. It is therefore, critical that the Ministry through CHE should ensure that quality is not compromised even in the mist of these challenges.
I have been informed that the elected ambassadors have been identified and selected as CHE Questions and Answers (QA) Ambassadors because they have accumulated wisdom gathered over the years, not only through their studies, but
also through wealth of experience, we are therefore, justified to have high expectations for the assignment at hand. Ambassadors’ contribution will go a
long way, since it increases the capacity of CHE to deliver effectively on its mandate”, she said. Phiri indicated that ambassadors come on board at a time when the country has just started earnest
implementation of the Lesotho Qualifications Framework (LQF), which is going to transform education system in that the LQF will clearly define the duration of programs
at various levels in a different way from the current practice, “LQF dictates that a Diploma should take two years of study but our practice over the years
is that a Diploma takes three years. A level 7 LQF qualification (Bachelor’s Degree) should generally take three years, but in our case it takes four years,
things have to change in a big way, as we implement LQF fully. Quality assurance is an integral part of implementing LQF, because qualifications have to be accredited first before they can be registered on the LQF.
Quality Assurance Ambassadors are automatically ambassadors for the Lesotho Qualifications Framework”. She highlighted that even though Lesotho is currently going through a rough patch in finances due to
economic down-turn and Covid-19, the government is fully aware of the need for increased investment in the improvement of quality assurance across the board
in order to improve quality of teaching and learning also ultimately of graduates. Speaking on behalf of selected Quality Assurance Ambassadors Dr Lifelile Mpho Matsoso said their
mandate as ambassadors is to ensure that institutes of higher learning offer programs that will bring solutions to societal problems which will later create
jobs for the graduate. “We see ourselves as advocates and publicists of the mandate we are being assigned to do, today we are being assigned a huge mandate
and we are up for the challenge”,Matsoso stated. The ten selected ambassadors are; Dr Tšebetso Margret Mpooa who is an expert in Higher Education, Dr Samuel Motlomelo expert in Education Psychology and QA Higher
Education, Dr Lifelile Mpho Matsoso expert in Higher Education, Dr Pulane Lefoka expert in Teaching and Learning-QA in Higher Education, Dr Josephine Phiny Hanson expert in Health and Nutrition, Puleng Lebitsa expert in
Accountancy QA in Higher Education, Makakole Marite expert in Social Development, ’Malimpho Seotsanyana expert in Development Studies Education program monitoring an evaluation, Dr Lineo Tekoa expert in Nursing Science and
‘Mannete Malethole Ramaili expert in Business and Public Administration.
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