Evaluation of UNICEF work in early childhood development and early childhood education (2018-2023)
Lesotho country report
Highlights
This report presents the findings of an independent evaluation of UNICEF’s work on early childhood development (ECD) and early childhood education (ECE) in Lesotho from 2018 to 2023. It assesses UNICEF’s contributions to strengthening national policies, systems, and programmes to improve access to quality early learning and holistic development opportunities for children aged 0–8, especially the most marginalized. The evaluation highlights UNICEF’s role in advancing an integrated, multisectoral ECD approach, supporting policy reforms, building frontline worker capacity, and improving service quality. It also identifies ongoing challenges, including limited resources, data gaps, and the need for stronger governance and sustainable financing, and provides recommendations to enhance impact and ensure equitable early childhood outcomes across Lesotho.
