Africa-Press – Lesotho. Qacha’s Nek, Dec. 08 — Mahlohonolo Lerole of Rats’oleli Primary School in Tsoelike, Qacha’s Nek, has secured a Top 3 position in the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
She is among the nation’s top ten achievers. Notably, she is the only learner from a public school in the top 3 list.
Lerole, along with the other top achievers, received a certificate, trophy, and medal from Alliance Insurance Company.
In addition, the Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, pledged a personal sponsorship of M1,000 to each of the top ten pupils to recognize their achievement and support their educational journey. The sponsorship will be given by the end of January 2026.
In an interview with the Agency, Lerole said she is thrilled with her results. “I am proud of myself,” she said, adding that her teachers and parents played a key role through their encouragement and support.
She revealed her aspiration to become a neurosurgeon, saying, “I want to give it a try because I love it, and there are very few people who can do that.”
Her sister, Senate Tholeli, expressed joy at her success. “I am very happy that I don’t even know what to say. She has been working so hard, and I am glad her hard work finally paid off,” she said.
Her grandmother, ’Mats’episo Lerole, ululated with pride, describing Lerole as a “special and talented child.” She added, “Since reception, she has been performing so well. At times, I even thought she was given good marks because teachers were tired of checking her work, but that wasn’t the case, she earned every mark she got.”
Rats’oleli Primary School Principal, Lesaoana Lesaoana, who taught Lerole from Grade 5 to 7, described her as a “special child” and praised her exceptional academic record.
“She is the only learner from a public school in the Top 10,” he said. He recalled that from Grade 6, Lerole excelled in literacy and numeracy competitions, often outperforming older students.
This year, Lerole represented both her district and Lesotho at regional competitions, achieving first place nationally and, according to her school, second place at the SADC level.
She also defended her debate title at district level and won first prize in mathematics, making 2025 a year of remarkable achievements.
Principal Lesaoana praised Lerole’s dedication and learning pace. “When I was teaching chapter 15, she was already on chapter 20. She has always been ahead of her peers,” he said. He also noted that the school has other bright pupils who, while not in the Top 10, performed impressively.
After her successes, Lerole earned a sponsorship from a local NGO that supports education at the district level. However, the sponsorship was withdrawn after her achievements opened the opportunity for her to enroll in another district. Recognizing her potential, a school in Mohale’s Hoek offered to cover all her fees, where she will continue her education.
The District Education Manager, Lebenya Mothibeli, commended Lerole for her achievement, saying the results reflect dedication.
“She has made us proud by securing a Top 3 position,” he said.
He credited both the principal and teachers for her success, noting that Rats’oleli’s principal “is strong, and his leadership is firm. There was no doubt that the child could achieve this because we have seen her performance in several competitions, winning multiple awards. Her success at SADC level confirmed her strength.”
He praised the teachers for their dedication, noting that even inspectors recognized their efforts and worked closely with them to ensure students excelled.
He added, “She has put the district on the map, and the district as a whole performed very well, not only in rankings but also in overall percentages. This is a clear testament to the teachers’ efforts.”
At the results announcement, Professor Rapapa thanked Alliance Insurance for supporting the pupils and recognized the hard work of all students who sat for the examinations.
He emphasized the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve primary education. The Minister praised students for balancing studies with modern distractions such as phones, highlighting their discipline in prioritizing schoolwork over devices. “Go and continue working hard. You will face challenges different from those of Grade 7, but keep striving for best results. God help you to be successful,” he said.
He urged principals, teachers, and District Education Managers to work hard to retain students and maintain high educational standards.
Professor Rapapa also encouraged tracking the achievers’ progress through Grade 7 and LGCSE to support sustained academic success, a process he initiated in 2024.
He thanked principals, teachers, parents, and the Examinations Council of Lesotho for their unwavering support, stressing that unity and collaboration are essential for success.
Lerole’s Top 3 PSLE finish is a testament to her talent, determination, and hard work. From Qacha’s Nek to national recognition, her journey highlights dedication, strong school leadership, and family support, inspiring students across Lesotho.
