Context

Since  independence in Lesotho, education sector analysis has had increased importance as a guide to both the government and external assistance agencies in policy-making. In the current context of dwindling resources, there is a need to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of education policies. A systematic analysis and inventory of existing education sector analysis is expected to assist in improving the knowledge-base on which important decision-making is based. The review has been undertaken by a team based at the National University of Lesotho.

The Working Group has provided technical assistance and financial support through contributions received from  UNESCO-Danida Funds-in-Trust and UNICEF-Lesotho.

Objectives

The main objective was to conduct a critical review of education sector analyses conducted in Lesotho from 1978 to 1999, identifying points of convergence and divergence and providing a body of knowledge for stakeholders and policy-makers.

The specific objectives were :

To synthesize the aims, methodologies, processes, results and recommendations of various education sector analyses undertaken in Lesotho.

To identify points of convergence and divergence on critical issues facing human resources development in Lesotho.

To provide a baseline and guide in methodology and approaches for future sector analyses.

To support local capacity and institution building in sector analysis.

To support collaboration among stakeholders and provide a guide for and assessment of co-operation in education sector analysis.

To lay a basis for formation of structures for monitoring and evaluation of education sector analyses.

To lay a basis for a wide dissemination of information emanating from sector analyses and their reviews.

The unfolding of the review

WGESA organised a seminar in November 1998 to facilitate the understandings of education sector analysis and of the review. The review was launched in August 1999 at a National Stakeholders Seminar attended by NGOs, bi- and multilateral organisations and the Ministry of Education. The review team has since then organised capacity-building workshops and a Final Stakeholder seminar in November 1999 at which stakeholders discussed the process and preliminary conclusions of the review. The provisional results of the review was presented at a seminar organised by WGESA in Johannesburg in December 1999. The final report is expected to be published by WGESA in English and French during 2000.

Results and recommendations

The team has indentified 139 studies of which 80 were reviewed. It recommends:

more cooperation among stakeholders

more reliance on the research community in the conduct of education sector analysis

more involvment of the Ministry of Education

realistic time-frames for undertaking studies

more dissemination of the findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders

design of a strategy for implementation of recommendations

improvement of capacity-building for researchers/consultants

Documents and publications

National review of education sector analysis in Lesotho 1978-1999, Institute of Education, National University of Lesotho, by E.M. Sebatane, D.P. Ambrose, M.K. Molise, A. Mothibeli, S.T. Motlomelo, H.J. Nenty, E.M. Nthunya, V.M. Ntoi.