Education
Enhancing children’s potential and keeping adolescents at school
Challange
Lesotho has made notable progress in expanding access to education, reaching near universal coverage in primary education where enrolments stand at 98.7 per cent. However, only 82 per cent of children transition from primary to secondary school, and dropout rates rise significantly at the secondary level. The early years are also under-supported—just 28 per cent of children aged 2 to 4 participate in early learning activities, leaving many without the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning.
Children with disabilities face major barriers to education. A small fraction – 5.7 per cent in primary and 9.1 per cent in secondary – are enrolled in school, reflecting persistent gaps in inclusive infrastructure, trained teachers, and learning materials. Gender inequality compounds these challenges: 1 in 6 young women were married in childhood , often forcing them to leave school prematurely and limiting their future opportunities. The quality of education also remains a concern, with many children not achieving basic literacy and numeracy skills, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Solution
UNICEF’s approach is to strengthen inclusive, equitable, and quality education systems across the life cycle—from early childhood through adolescence. This includes supporting the expansion of early childhood education, scaling up inclusive teaching practices, improving foundational learning in primary education through evidence-based methodologies and teacher training, and strengthening curriculum to ensure it is progressive enough to prepare children and adolescents for a rapidly-changing world.
To address gender disparities and early marriage, UNICEF promotes community engagement, life skills programmes, and school re-entry pathways for adolescent girls. Interventions also include supporting data systems, advocating for increased public investment in early learning, and ensuring the implementation of policies that promote inclusive education for children with disabilities.
UNICEF is working closely with the Ministry of Education and partners to strengthen education governance, improve learning outcomes, and ensure every child—regardless of gender, ability, or background—can learn, thrive, and reach their full potential.