EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO ALL

The Education Officer in the Department of Education, Mr Ntaeboso Penduka, says education is essential to all the people, including herd boys, this is why Non-formal education exists in Lesotho.

Officially opening a three-day workshop on Non-formal education that was organized by the Lesotho Association of Non-Formal Education (LANFE) held at
the Farmers Training Centre on Tuesday 08 October,2002 Mr. Phenduka said Non- Formal Education is also included in the programmes of the Ministry of Education. He indicated that some of the issues to be discussed that include, HIV/AIDS, Self-Reliance and Leadership, show that people are now ready to do something for themselves to bring change in their areas, where they live. Mr. Phenduka said, "It is through talking about HIV/AIDS openly that it could be brought to a halt, as it has become a major concern in the country".  Therefore, he called on everyone to take part in the fight against it.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Training Officer for LANFE, Mrs. 'Matumisang Tenei, said the main concern that her association is faced with, is the absence of the Education policy on Non-Formal Education. She said, even though they work hand in hand with the Ministry of Education through the Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC), they still feel underserved because of the absence of the policy on Non-Formal Education.

The purpose of the workshop is to equip the participants with leadership skills that will enable them to participate fully in the coming Local Government elections, and to create awareness on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The workshop ends on Thursday 10,October,2002.

08 October,2002