{"id":67040,"date":"2026-02-23T19:58:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/prime-minister-matekane-leads-back-to-school-campaign"},"modified":"2026-02-23T20:37:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:37:39","slug":"prime-minister-matekane-leads-back-to-school-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/prime-minister-matekane-leads-back-to-school-campaign","title":{"rendered":"Prime Minister Matekane Leads Back to School Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong> <\/span>The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Sam Matekane, led the national Back to
\nSchool campaign at Ha-Koporale in Thaba-Tseka District, reaffirming Government\u2019s unwavering
\ncommitment to ensuring that every Mosotho child has access not only to education but to quality
\neducation.<\/p>\n

Held under the Ministry of Education and Training\u2019s theme \u201cHa re Khutleleng Sekolong\u201d, the event
\nbrought together community leaders, teachers, parents, learners and development partners in a
\npowerful demonstration of national solidarity around the transformative power of education.<\/p>\n

In his address, the Prime Minister underscored that education remains the single most important
\ninstrument for shaping Lesotho\u2019s future. He reminded Basotho that investing in children today is
\ninvesting in the country\u2019s long-term prosperity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThuto ke motheo oa nts\u030cetso-pele le kholo ea naha,\u201d he emphasised, highlighting that no child
\nshould be left behind particularly at primary level. Government\u2019s policy position remains firm:
\naccess to basic education is not a privilege but a right.<\/p>\n

He further noted Lesotho\u2019s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,
\nparticularly SDG 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister also called on parents and guardians to take responsibility to ensure that
\nchildren remain in school, stating clearly that excuses for non-attendance have no place in a
\nnation determined to rise.<\/p>\n

Beyond infrastructure and material support, both the Right Honourable The Prime Minister and
\nthe Honorable Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa stressed the urgent need to confront social
\nchallenges undermining educational progress.<\/p>\n

They reiterated Government\u2019s concern over rising teenage pregnancies and the practice of boys
\nleaving school prematurely for initiation schools at critical academic stages.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister urged communities to protect the futures of young people by prioritising
\neducation above all other competing pressures. While cultural practices remain an important part
\nof Basotho identity, he emphasized that timing and balance are essential to ensure that education
\nis not sacrificed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur children must not lose their future at the peak of their schooling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Back to School campaign encourages Basotho across the country to support learners
\nthrough practical contributions including uniforms, stationery, hygiene products and food support.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister reminded citizens that even small contributions, when multiplied across
\ncommunities, preserve the enduring Basotho value of sharing and collective responsibility.<\/p>\n

He further highlighted Government\u2019s continued investment in supportive infrastructure such as
\nelectricity, water, roads and digital connectivity near schools, creating an enabling environment for
\nimproved learning outcomes.<\/p>\n

The event also reinforced the strategic link between education and economic growth. A productive, self-reliant Lesotho depends on a skilled and disciplined generation.<\/p>\n

Learners who
\ncomplete their education become future entrepreneurs, skilled artisans, agricultural innovators,
\nengineers, public servants and industry leaders.<\/p>\n

The vision aligns with Government\u2019s broader economic reform agenda and the Buy Lesotho
\ncampaign, which seeks to strengthen domestic production, local industries and job creation.<\/p>\n

Education remains the bedrock of that transformation. By investing in literacy, numeracy and technical skills today, Lesotho is laying the groundwork for
\na competitive and resilient economy tomorrow.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister concluded by calling on all Basotho to participate actively in shaping a society
\nthat values education, discipline and national responsibility.<\/p>\n

He expressed his personal aspiration
\nto see one of the children present at the event rise one day to lead the country. \u201cI want to see one of these children become future Prime Minister of Lesotho,\u201d he said, reinforcing his
\nbelief that leadership begins in the classroom.<\/p>\n

The Government remains committed to expanding access to quality education, improving service
\ndelivery and working with communities to build a united, prosperous and educated nation. As Lesotho advances toward 2030, the message from Ha-Koporale was clear:
\nEducation is not merely a social service, it is a national investment<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Lesotho<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Sam Matekane, led the national Back to School campaign at Ha-Koporale in Thaba-Tseka District, reaffirming Government\u2019s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Mosotho child has access not only to education but to quality education. Held under the Ministry of Education and Training\u2019s theme \u201cHa re Khutleleng […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":67039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-67040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-lesotho"],"yoast_head":"\nPrime Minister Matekane Leads Back to School Campaign - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Lesotho. 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