Seventeen schools built at a cost of about M60 million of assistance from the Government of Japan will be handed over to the Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa, at a ceremony at the Lancers Gap Primary School on January 20. 

The Ministry’s Information Officer, Mrs. ‘Makopano Semakale said a total of 225 classrooms were built under this project, which covered schools in the Maseru and Berea districts. The classrooms are expected to accommodate at least 14, 000 pupils and will be ready for use when schools re-open.

The project is part of Government’s response to the large number numbers of pupils and shortage of classrooms after the introduction of Free Primary Education (FPE) in 2000.

In the Maseru district, the schools were built at Mahlabatheng, Lehaseng, Ha Tlhakanelo, Ha Thetsane, Semphetenyane, Ha Abia, Ha Mpiti, Ha Lenono, Ha Leqele, Ha Tsolo, Maseru East and Ha Maqhanyane. In the Berea district the schools are at Ha Mabote, ‘Maseqobela, Lancers Gap, Senyotong and Ha Ntjabane.  

The sod-turning ceremony marking the beginning of the construction of the schools was by the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili on April 7, 2005.

19 January 2006