Two Qacha’s Nek Schools to Receive New Classrooms and Toilets Under Lesotho Education Improvement Project

Two primary schools in Qacha’s Nek district are set to benefit from much-needed infrastructure upgrades through the first phase of the Lesotho Education Improvement Project (LEIP), a national initiative backed by the World Bank to enhance learning environments in under-resourced areas.

Leseling RC Primary School will receive two brand-new classrooms along with toilet facilities for both teachers and learners. Meanwhile, Qacha’s Nek United ACL Primary School is slated to get one classroom and a dedicated junior toilet block.

Announcing the development at a press briefing in Maseru, the Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, emphasized that LEIP is a three-year programme beginning in 2025, targeting 52 schools identified as being in the most urgent need of support.

“A national assessment was conducted to determine which schools lacked the most basic infrastructure,” Professor Rapapa said. “Based on that, the first phase of the project will see the construction of 97 classrooms and 49 sanitation facilities across Lesotho.”

He assured the public that schools not included in the current phase would be catered for in the second and third phases, which are scheduled for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years.

“If we work effectively with support from both government and donors, we may see even more schools built from the ground up,” he added. “This could attract further investment, and I believe the ministry is ready to deliver on its mandate.”

To facilitate the rollout, a call for bids was published in a local newspaper last Friday, officially opening the door for contractors to apply. Professor Rapapa highlighted that this process is also expected to generate local job opportunities, especially in rural communities where these schools are located.

LEIP represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of basic education in Lesotho, with a focus on equity, access, and dignity for learners in underserved regions. With construction poised to begin soon, the project promises to uplift thousands of students and provide a solid foundation for long-term educational success.