Moroke Sekoboto
The Ministry of Education and Training has convened Lesotho’s inaugural Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) conference in partnership with UNICEF Lesotho.
Held at Avani Maseru last week and dubbed “Beyond Brick and Mortar: Investing in Our Most Valuable Asset—Building Blocks for the Future”, the event brought together governments, development partners, private sector, funding agencies, and civil society organisations, all committed to advancing ECDE across Southern Africa.
Other stakeholders on board were the Network of Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Officially launching the project, Minister of Education and Training, Ntoi Rapapa, appealed to all the stakeholders to collectively advance the interests of ECDE in the pursuit of a brighter future for young children.
Professor Rapapa noted that early childhood education was not merely a cost but an investment into Lesotho’s future.
He added that investing in early childhood education was a pathway to greater educational outcomes, improved health, and reduced inequality.
“As we gather here to discuss how we can collectively advance ECDE, I make a heartfelt plea to each of you. We must do more. We must invest in ECDE—not only in financial terms but also through our policies, partnerships, and collective will,” Prof Rapapa said.
“If we do not invest in the early years, we risk perpetuating cycles of poverty, stunted development, and limited opportunities for our children.”
Speaking at the same conference, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Limpho Tau, emphasised that Lesotho’s strength lay not only in infrastructure but in the potential of its young citizens.
“By prioritising children’s early, formative years, Lesotho is investing in future leaders, thinkers, and innovators,” Mr Tau said.
For his part, UNICEF Country Representative Deepak Bhaskaran, echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the importance of a collective commitment to building a brighter future for children.
“Let’s join forces—government, business, educators, researchers, and parents—to lay the groundwork for a strong future. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change-makers. By investing in their early years, we are securing a brighter, more prosperous future for all of us,” Mr Bhaskaran said.
“The ECDE Conference marks a significant step forward for children’s futures in the region, with a focus on technology, education, and data-driven solutions to improve early childhood outcomes. This collaborative commitment will pave the way for enduring progress and a brighter future for Southern Africa’s youngest citizens.”
