THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) and Limkokwing University were shut down again last week.
The three-year-old Limkokwing saw its worst student protests with nine people being shot in violent protests that rocked the university.
At Roma, NUL was also shut down after lecturers downed tools in protest over poor pay and working conditions.
The protests and subsequent closures of the two varsities only confirmed what we have always known — that higher education in Lesotho is in crisis.
As we have argued in the past, the problem at NUL and Limkokwing is one of governance.
The new vice-chancellor, who is set to be appointed at NUL early next year, will need to take decisive action to clean up the mess at the university.
At present we can only say the university appears to be on auto-pilot and is drifting into dangerous waters.
This has been clearly demonstrated over the past couple of weeks.
The way authorities have dealt with the protests at NUL and Limkokwing captured this crisis of leadership.
The search for a solution should begin with a humble acknowledgement of the problem at hand.
Let’s take the Limkokwing strike for instance.
The students raised several grievances against the authorities at the varsity.
For a start, the students complained about the quality of teaching staff.
They also complained about lack of access to the internet, a critical research tool in the modern age.
These grievances, among many others, were quite genuine.
Lecturers at NUL also raised their own grievances.
They wanted their salaries increased to match their counterparts in the region.
They said their salaries had not been increased over the past five years.
They also charged the university authorities had failed to provide them with essential equipment to help them discharge their duties in a professional manner.
They said the university had failed to provide such basics as laptops and projectors.
They have also complained about over-crowded lecture theatres.
These are pretty genuine concerns.
While all these issues were being raised and debated not a word was heard from Education Minister ‘Mamphono Khaketla.
When she finally decided to open her mouth, it was to issue threats, both against the lecturers at NUL and students at Limkokwing.
Of course we know Khaketla does not deal with the day-to-day administration of universities.
But as the minister responsible for education, the buck stops with her.
In our opinion, Khaketla bungled in the manner she handled the two protests.
Her response in both instances has been slow, reactive and thoroughly misguided.
Instead of addressing the lecturers’ and students’ grievances, the minister has seen it fit to issue threats.
Lecturers will not be paid under the “no work, no pay” doctrine, Khaketla warned.
Students would also not be paid their allowances during the stay-away, she also warned.
This approach was regrettable.
Issuing threats will not resolve the deep-seated problems rocking our two universities.
We think the minister must demonstrate astute leadership in proffering solutions that go beyond mere threats.
Any other approach will not wash.
