Africa-Press – Lesotho. The National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS held an inauguration for its new National Manpower Development Council (NMDC) which comprises of 13 members
on Monday. The commemoration was also an effort to groom them in assisting NMDS to better perform its duties. The Ministry of Development Planning, Principal Secretary (PS) Sello Tšukulu when officially
launching an orientation for new NMDC clarified that its principal objective is to review testing mechanisms which will be used when awarding sponsorships to
Basotho citizens who qualify for funding, by prioritizing those from needy families. “Their performance will be looked into consideration so that they are given the first priority
to further their studies at institutions of higher learning as that will help in changing their standards of living,” he said. Again, Tšukulu announced that new sponsorship strategies will be looked into,
including improvement of manpower functions and problem solving mechanisms. Speaking at the orientation NMDS Director Florinah Rakeketsi indicated that NMDC is a
body that is mandated to review NMDS policies, appointed by the Minister of Education and Training fairly where representatives of interest are to be provided for under the 1978 Act (Kingdom of Lesotho Act 1978:35).
“The main function of NMDC is to undertake policy formulation and provide directives
to the NMDS. It gives advices to the minister on policies and procedures for provision and administration of bursaries,” she said. Rakeketsi also indicated that skills development is required for the development of the
country, thus loan bursaries are given to eligible Basotho beneficiaries to later improve the country. The loan is repayable after completion of studies
for further loaning to other upcoming students. ”NMDS provides loan bursaries to deserving Basotho students, wishing to pursue higher education and training.
It also sponsors students at high schools mainly targeting brilliant and needy students through grant system. Again it specifically administers partially reimbursable loan bursaries on behalf of the Government
of Lesotho for students studying in priority fields at the tertiary and vocational schools locally, regionally and internationally,” explained Rakeketsi.
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