Lesotho’s Youth Call for Urgent Education Reform at Landmark Dialogue
Youth Take the Lead in Reimagining Education for a Changing Lesotho
In a landmark convening at Victory Hall in Maseru, more than 80 youth leaders, policymakers, civil society actors, and development partners came together for the Youth Dialogue and Networking Pitso on the Future of Education. The event—co-hosted by UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Democracy Works Foundation, Skillshare Lesotho, Development for Peace Education, and the European Union—provided a powerful platform for young people to shape national discourse on education reform, lifelong learning, and inclusive development.
The forum drew together a dynamic cross-section of stakeholders—from 27 youth-led civil society organizations to senior government representatives, including the Honourable Pitso Lesaoana, Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, and Her Excellency Ms. Paola Amadei, Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Deepak Bhaskaran, UNICEF Representative and Ms. Masoai Dennis, IOM Head of Office. Youth with disabilities, media representatives, and academics enriched the dialogue, reinforcing a shared commitment to transforming Lesotho’s education system to be more inclusive, relevant, and future-ready.
This engagement formed part of the Youth Power Hub (YPH)—an EU-funded initiative implemented by UNICEF and IOM to empower adolescents and young people across all ten districts of Lesotho. The YPH provides a framework for youth to organize, influence policy, and co-lead decision-making processes, particularly in areas such as education, climate action, gender equality, and digital inclusion. By strengthening the institutional and advocacy capacities of grassroots youth civil society organizations, the Youth Power Hub is helping young Basotho become active agents of change in their communities.
Despite notable progress, the Pitso underscored the urgent need for systemic reform. Participants highlighted persistent challenges, including a curriculum misaligned with labour market demands, high youth unemployment, limited digital access, and insufficient life and career skills training. Rural and marginalized youth, particularly those with disabilities, continue to face disproportionate barriers to meaningful learning and social mobility.
Young participants described an education system that often leaves them ill-prepared for the realities of the 21st century. Digital illiteracy remains widespread—especially in rural areas—while essential life skills such as financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and mental health awareness are not yet fully embedded in the national curriculum. Calls for more robust entrepreneurship education, experiential learning, and accessible employment pathways echoed throughout the dialogue.
Yet, there are reasons for optimism. Participants acknowledged key advances, including the Government of Lesotho’s provision of free secondary education, bursaries supporting over 60,000 orphans and vulnerable children, and entrepreneurship initiatives targeting youth up to 24 years of age. More than M400 million in investments are expanding youth innovation and employment opportunities. Digital learning platforms such as the Learning Passport, Girls Coding Programme, and the GiGA connectivity initiative are helping bridge the digital divide.
Throughout the Pitso, youth leaders offered practical, context-specific recommendations to address existing gaps and build a more inclusive education system:
- Expanding apprenticeship and mentorship programmes in underserved districts;
- Distributing printed learning materials to ensure rural and offline access;
- Translating educational content into Sesotho and other local languages to enhance comprehension;
- Introducing entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and digital skills training from early education;
- Institutionalizing mechanisms for youth participation in education policy, curriculum design, and school governance.
They also emphasized the importance of investing in youth-led research and innovation, with particular attention to inclusive access to emerging technologies for youth with disabilities.
The message from Lesotho’s youth was unequivocal: education is not a privilege, but a fundamental right. Every child and young person—regardless of geography, gender, ability, or socioeconomic background—deserves equitable access to quality, inclusive, and future-oriented education.
As the Dialogue concluded, one collective call to action stood out: for education reform to be effective and sustainable, it must be co-owned by the very youth it aims to serve. By empowering young people through structured platforms like the Youth Power Hub, and by embedding their insights into policy and implementation, Lesotho can reimagine an education system that prepares every learner to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
