Berea, Lesotho – The Department of Education and Training in Berea, in collaboration with over 40 post-primary school principals, held a daylong meeting at St. Agnes High School on Thursday. The gathering focused on self-reflection and strategizing ways to improve the district’s pass rate for the upcoming academic years.
The meeting comes in the wake of Berea district securing the eighth position in the 2024 Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) results, with a pass rate of 59.3 percent. While the district’s position was lower than desired, the Department of Education and Training acknowledged the efforts made, with the aim to foster better results moving forward.
In her address to the principals, District Education Manager Mrs. Malijane Selikane expressed that despite the district’s lower ranking, it had done its best under the circumstances. “Regardless of being in the lower position, we performed to our best,” Mrs. Selikane stated, stressing that while there is always room for improvement, the district should not overlook the achievements made.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to outline the district’s annual plan for improving academic performance. Mrs. Selikane emphasized the importance of maintaining initiatives that have shown promise, particularly the compulsory 7:00 am morning study sessions in schools. This initiative, she explained, is designed to foster discipline, enhance students’ focus, and set the foundation for improved academic results.
“The compulsory morning studies should continue in order to pave the way for outstanding results,” Mrs. Selikane urged.
The collaboration between the Department of Education and the school principals marks a key step in addressing challenges faced by schools in the district and striving for excellence in education. Moving forward, the Berea district plans to strengthen efforts to improve student performance, engage more effectively with stakeholders, and foster a culture of academic excellence across its schools.
As the district looks ahead to the next academic year, the shared commitment to boosting pass rates and maintaining high standards of education reflects a collective desire to see Berea rise among the top performers in the country’s education system.
