MINISTER APPLAUDS STUDENTS' CONTRIBUTION TO VISION 2020

The Minister of Health and social Welfare, in his capacity as Acting Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Motloheloa Phooko has applauded Lesotho Primary, Secondary and High School  student's contribution to the development of the national vision 2020.

Speaking during a Prize-giving ceremony for students who entered the National vision essay competition held at the National Convention Centre on Wednesday 02 October,2002 Dr. Phooko said the students' participation is a clear testimony of youth who are willing to undertake development activities for their country. He mentioned that while the essay recommended students to state their views on what they wish Lesotho's status could be in the year 2020, the Vision 2020 National Steering Committee is bound to include such views in their plans to ensure that students wishes and aspirations are met by the year 2020.

He further pointed out the importance of government's decision to include various ranges of views in the national vision for it has given an opportunity for all, including students, to have tabled their views, saying this is a giant step to ensure everyone's participation in development activities hence the notion of democracy is also enhanced. He concluded by reminding students that they are the future generation of
the country and that the future of the country is in their hands, appealing to them to consider their views as serious for they will be the ones benefiting from them in future.

At the occasion, the Chief Education Officer for Secondary and High Schools Mr. Litsiba Mohloka thanked the 131 schools that responded to the call for students to participate in the national vision 2020. He indicated that from the competitors, 42 students from primary, secondary and High schools throughout the country were selected after writing excellent essays on Vision 2020, hence the award giving ceremony.

The Chief Education Officer further appreciated the students' efforts and commanded to continue taking part in such activities, saying that however; the teachers deserve
more credit since they are the ones who guided their students throughout the whole exercise. He concluded by promising students that when the final document that entails a wide spectrum of views is released, students' views would be included.

Speaking on behalf of the winners, Mr. Kobeli Senoko who is a student at Qalo High School expressed their gratitude to the government as well as their teachers for the opportunity to participate in a national vision. He further articulated their wish for the country to reach its desired developments and to be able to sustain such activities, appealing to other students to always take rare opportunities like this to take part in the country's development.

Meanwhile, the prize-giving ceremony commenced with a fun-walk from Pitso ground to the Convention centre, and ended with winners taking away prizes that range from M3, 000 to M1, 000 winning prizes and Those that range from M150 to M100 consolation prizes.

02 October,2002