Position one holder at LGSCE level Mamasoatsi Pearl Kopeka from Leribe English Medium receives prizes from Metropolitan MD Nkau Matete and Dr Phamotse
Rethabile Pitso
METROPOLITAN Lesotho showered top-performing students and schools in the 2015 academic year with prizes worth M250 000.
The prizes, which were handed over during a ceremony held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training on Monday, were meant to recognise the country’s top academic achievers.
Eleven Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGSCE) students each received a laptop for best performance, while eight high school each received M12 000 for best performance. The high schools comprised Methodist High School (Berea), Lesotho High School (Maseru), Leribe English Medium (Leribe), St Stephens High School (Mohale’s Hoek), Hlotse High School (Leribe), Maputsoe High School (Leribe), Holy Family High School (Leribe) and Leqele High School (Maseru).
LGSCE top three student Mamasoatsi Pearl Kopeka from Leribe English Medium School and two Junior Certificate top three students Karabo Mary Molapo (from Leribe English Medium School) and Thesele Moshoeshoe Johannes (Lesotho High School) each received M5 000.
Addressing the gathering, Metropolitan Lesotho’s Managing Director Nkau Matete said the benefitting schools were expected to use the M12 000 for sustainable projects. He said while it was at the discretion of each school to decide what projects to invest the money in, they had to be sustainable, adding that progress would be monitored.
“We are not only recognising the excellence of hardworking pupils, but also giving the schools money that should be used for sustainable projects,” he said.
“We are able to contribute to the educational sector through the support we receive from the communities. Among our most valued customers are teachers whose investments play an important role in the growth of our company. It is through this partnership with our company that we are able to give back into the education system.”
In her remarks, Education and Training Minister Dr Mahali Phamotse said the government valued partnerships with the private sector for the betterment of the education sector.
“The Ministry of Education and Training under the Public Private Partnership has a longstanding relationship with such organisations as Metropolitan Lesotho to recognise and appreciate outstanding students,” the minister said, adding that GR Stationers were also among the sponsors.
“Such initiatives serve the purpose of motivating the students to work hard thereby improving the quality of education.”
On behalf of the parents of the top-performing students, Mafonti Kopeka lauded the sponsors for incentivising the students to perform at their best in their studies.
“To the sponsors, we wish to thank you for the gifts you have presented to the children. They are not just material gifts but motivational tools to the learners; both who have excelled and to those who will be sitting for examinations in future,” she said.
