The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights has as one of its components and the world call to achieve education for all has led to a number of countries' introduction of Free Education. In Lesotho the call was heeded with the introduction of the Free Primary Education Programme in phases as from the year 2000. It was with the advent of the Free Primary Education Programme that a number of adults who never had formal schooling and or who had very little schooling took advantage and enrolled in the mainstream of primary education. This study therefore investigates the teaching and learning processes of adult learners in the mainstream of primary education where the curriculum is designed for the school age learners. It consists of the in-depth investigations of three primary schools in the Southern districts of Lesotho namely Moyeni Primary and Zibandayo Primary in the district of Quthing; and Naleli Primary in the district of Mohales'hoek; This study also investigates how these schools handled the education of adult learners while still not compromising the tuition of the school age learners. It also tried to find solutions as to how best the tuition of the adult learners could be handled so as to benefit them and the country as a whole. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 2002.

Tourism in Lesotho reached a peak in the mid-1970's, based upon the opening of modern hotels and casinos in Maseru and the attraction of gambling. This was an activity which was not then available in the neighbouring country of the Republic of South Africa. Casinos became Lesotho's dominant tourist product. The legalising of gambling in South Africa increased competition in the casino market and Lesotho could therefore no longer capitalise on casinos. Furthermore, the casinos in the country were externally owned and controlled. This form of tourism was therefore not economically viable for the greater proportion of the host population because most of the revenue generated drained back to parent countries. As a result, the strategy for tourism development shifted to the development of natural environment, landscape and outdoor pursuits such as pony trekking. Pony trekking became popular in the late 1970's and has since become one of the most important tourist products of the country. In the 1980's community pony trekking associations were established. These pony trekking initiatives were identified as one development option that could provide economic opportunities for rural communities where few other opportunities exist. The purpose of this study is to examine whether pony trekking initiatives in Lesotho can yield maximum possible economic, social and environmental benefits for the present and future host communities. While investigating its potential to meet the needs of host communities for improved living standards, it also examines whether this tourist product satisfies the demands and expectations of visitors. The field work described in this dissertation was carried out in three pony trekking centres, namely: the government owned Basotho Pony Trekking Centre located at Molimo-Nthuse in the Maseru district; the privately owned Malealea Pony Trekking Centre at Malealea in the Mafeteng district; and the community owned- Khohlonts'o Pony Trekking Centre at III Bokong in the Thaba-Tseka district. This study has revealed that pony trekking activities provide substantial socio- economic opportunities for local communities along the trek routes and around the trekking centres, from the renting of overnight facilities and horses, the production and selling of crafts and tour guiding by local people. Furthermore, the majority of members of pony trekking associations surveyed revealed high support for the activity due to the economic benefits. It was also found that the demands of the majority of visitors are being met. They were satisfied with the facilities and services offered in these centres and regarded public reception as being good. Though pony trekking contributes to social upliftment of the host communities, it is found, however, that there are major drawbacks. The survey indicates that at present limited number of people are involved or participate in pony trekking associations. Not only that, but even communities that are directly involved in pony trekking associations do not have control of such initiatives. Further, the survey shows that there is insufficient community capacity building and lack of government involvement in funding in the investment in infrastructure. Finally, the potential to attract more visitors remains relatively untapped due to a lack of proper marketing strategies; a lack of integrated marketing efforts in promotional campaigns; and weak advertising of the product between the public and private sectors. On the basis of these findings suggestions are made for further improvement. These include, firstly, a need to launch education and awareness programmes on the important role that tourism can play in socio-economic development of the communities. Secondly, more opportunities for the local population and new areas for pony trekking development should be opened. Finally, stronger support, from both the government and private firms for the tourist industry is needed. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Using theoretical insights from elsewhere, this thesis examines and explains Lesotho’s opposition. It argues that the decline of single-member constituency and the rise of Mixed Member Proportionality (MMP) has weakened the prospects for a strong opposition in Lesotho; more parties in parliament have strengthened the hold of the ruling party. These parties cannot overturn the parliamentary decisions of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), which continues to win more than 90% of majority seats in successive elections. So, most bills and motions passed in parliament have support of the majority of the MPs of LCD. Opposition parties have little legislative impact in challenging the policies of government. Paradoxically, MPs of the LCD are often the only source of opposition in the country’s parliament.

M.A. / At the local-level, rural households in Lesotho, like across much of Southern Africa, suffer high livelihood vulnerability from their experience of poverty, marginalisation and dependence on natural resources. In Lesotho, rural households experience similar livelihood vulnerability from their exposure and sensitivity to these numerous social, economic and environmental stressors. In the coming decades, rural households, like those in Phelantaba village, northern Lesotho, will face even greater livelihood vulnerability from the impacts of anthropogenically influenced climate change. This phenomenon will possibly become one of the greatest stressors that rural livelihoods in the village will experience and have to adapt to. The overall objective of this dissertation was to undertake a site-specific assessment of the vulnerability of rural livelihoods in Phelantaba village to the impacts of future climate change. The rationale behind this was that the impacts of future climate change will not be spatially homogenous across a region. A vulnerability index, based on the composition of household livelihoods of the five livelihood capitals, was utilised to determine the livelihood vulnerability of Phelantaba households. In addition, participatory rural appraisal methods were applied in village focus groups to identify the coping strategies households relied upon to cope with climatic variability. Results illustrated that the most vulnerable households in Phelantaba village face the greatest livelihood vulnerability due to their poor access to physical capital and mimimal financial capital, coupled with their dependence on natural capital. Least vulnerable households faced lower vulnerability as they have good financial capacity and access to physical capital to respond to impacts of future climate change. Focus groups highlighted how households in Phelantaba do not have any specific coping strategies designed to address climatic variability. Rather, coping strategies to address poverty and economic stressors were indirectly applied to assist households to cope with climatic variability. In conclusion, the dissertation successfully conducted a site-specific assessment in Phelantaba village of the livelihood vulnerability households faced from future climate change. This research can assist policy makers to understand some of the key vulnerabilities rural households face at the local-level and begin to focus adaptation initiatives on the key areas of concern where they are needed most due to the impacts of future climate change.

The study focuses on Lesotho‟s Public Service. The aims of this study were to examine the factors that led to the repeal of the Public Service Act No.13 of 1995. This study looks at the legislative constraints and attitudes of civil servants towards unionisation in the Public Service. It also outlines the relevant provisions of the Public Service Act No.1 of 2005; the changes that have occurred since its inception. Findings show that the Public Service Act No.13 of 1995 was repealed in order to reform the Public Service. The Ministry of the Public Service implemented five-year strategic plans to reform the public service. Changes have occurred in the public service since the inception of the 2005 Act; however, they differ from ministry to ministry. The respondents included public officers from the Ministry of the Public Service, Ministry of Justice, Law Office, Ministry of Employment and Labour, Ministry of Planning, the Ombudsman Office, Parliament, different ministries, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Congress of the Lesotho Trade Unions (COLETU) and the Lesotho Public Service Staff Association (LEPSSA).

Whenever two or more people from different cultures interact in an educational environment learning and teaching can be affected either positively or negatively. The study sought to establish the link between intercultural differences and optimal teaching and learning environments. The aim of the study was therefore to enhance teaching and learning environments through improved intercultural understanding. The research was based on the qualitative approach. The research design that was used in the execution of the study was a case study. The data collection methods that were used were focus group discussions, interviews and observation. The study found that there are some intercultural experiences that either enhance or inhibit educational equality and quality. These are medium of instruction (English Language), availability and accessibility of learning resources and parental support. It was also concluded that acts of discrimination alone cannot affect the performance of learners but, rather, a combination of other intercultural influences play a role. Moreover, the study found that language can be used as a tool to promote respect for humanity as it was singled out as one of the factors that inhibit respect for others. In promoting tolerance towards each other, the study found that negative self-esteem, seen mostly with the under privileged learners, affects negatively their ability in tolerating each other. In addition, encouraging participation of learners in sport and group activities emerged as some of the pursuits that can promote tolerance amongst learners from different cultural backgrounds. The strategies to enhance optimal teaching and learning that were revealed by the study are: repetition of lessons by teachers; motivating and appreciating learners; monitoring classroom dynamics; creating social clubs; training teachers on cultural diversity (inclusive of communication); acknowledging, valuing and celebrating cultural differences; declaring English as an elective subject; unlimited access to the internet and library; and promoting parental involvement in the education of their children.

This study evaluates the potential for community-based ecotourism as conservation and development strategy in Kome village, which is an unprotected area. The study adopts the ecotourism concept to illustrate how communitybased ecotourism can be a tool for conservation and development in poor rural communities. Adopting the intensive case study design, the study investigates the major challenges for community-based ecotourism in Kome village. Findings reveal that Kome community derives low socio-economic benefits including limited earnings, low employment, poor benefits sharing and lack of entrepreneurships. Kome has a potential to offer better community-based ecotourism products due to diverse tourist attractions ranging from historical, cultural activities to natural scenery. The study suggests and recommends formation of a partnership between the Kome community, private, public sector and the NGOs as a strategy for development. The study concludes that ecotourism can be an appropriate option for conservation and development for Kome village.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for degree of Master of Education in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand / This study explored learners’ experiences of bullying and how it makes them feel excluded in a school in Botha-Bothe district, Lesotho. A qualitative research method was applied, which included analysis of data obtained from narrative essays and from individual, semi-structured interviews. A narrative essay question was given to 76 Grade eight learners who participated in this study to write about their experiences of bullying and how it makes them feel. Out of these 76 Grade eight learners who wrote narrative essays, a purposive sampling was used to select 6 learners who seemed to experience multiple forms of bullying to participate in individual, semi-structured interviews. Various forms of bullying, the effects and factors that contribute to bullying which make learners feel excluded in a school environment are described. The study explicates that learners were exposed to multiple forms of bullying, for example, physical and verbal bullying. In addition, it was established that bullying exhibits psychological and emotional effects, particularly on the victims. Unique to this study were participants’ perceived reasons why they think they are vulnerable to bullying and what they think triggers some learners to bully others. The study was brought to a conclusive end by highlighting the need for a systematic way of assessing and addressing the problem of bullying in schools. The study also highlighted that parental involvement is as crucial in dealing with cases of bullying as it is presumably caused by the way in which children are raised from their homes. / MT2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Finance and Investment), 2016 / This study examines the determinants of stock market development in a broader sense, in an effort to investigate the positive or negative impact they can have on the establishment of the national stock market in Lesotho. The focus is on the benefits enjoyed by other African countries from the establishment of stock markets, in particular, in Sub-Saharan Africa, whose effects can also be enjoyed by the Lesotho economy. I have concluded that Lesotho can also benefit from the establishment of a stock market and reforms to strengthen the institutional infrastructure are essential. / GR2018

This study aims to capture the challenges and tensions that arise in donor funded curriculum projects in Lesotho. Through an interpretive case study research design I investigated these challenges and tensions in two projects relevant to Education for Sustainable Development, namely the Lesotho Environmental Support Project (LEESP) and the Population/Family Education (POP/FLE) projects which are donor funded curriculum projects funded by DANIDA and UNFPA respectively. A review of donor funded curriculum projects in the field of environmental education/Education for Sustainable Development was undertaken to provide background and a theoretical context for the study. It highlighted different challenges and implementation tensions experienced by other similar projects in other countries. At the heart of such projects lies a particular political economy, which is based on development assistance to poor countries. Such development assistance is constructed around concepts of need, participation and innovation, and donor-recipient relationships. It is structured around a system of governance and management that normally uses logical framework planning as its main methodology. This political economy has shaped the two donor funded projects that were considered in this study, and has shaped many of the tensions and challenges identified in the study. To investigate the two projects, data for this study was generated through in-depth interviews, document analysis and focus group interviews, with people who had been involved with the projects at the national level. The data generation process did not involve the schools where the projects were ultimately implemented, as it was seeking to identify how local institutions such as the National Curriculum Development Centre could support better synergies between donor funded initiatives and the local context. The findings of the study revealed the ambivalent nature of donor initiatives, and identified that the political economy and donor-recipient relations influence the projects. Aspects such as the design and management of projects, the processes associated with introducing innovation in educational ideas and paradigms, pedagogical issues, and staff contributions and ownership were identified as some of the key tensions that existed in the projects. Other factors such as poor capacity levels of local staff, non-alignment with existing structures, inadequate sustainability mechanisms and the difficulty of the envisaged integration of new paradigm thinking (methods and approaches) into the existing curriculum framework were also significant tensions, given the positivist history of the Lesotho curriculum. The study recommends the need to establish mechanisms for working with donors to tackle the tensions that arise in such projects within longer-term donor assistance. It proposes that government should expedite the development of policy on donor coordination. Both donors and the NCDC need to put mechanisms in place to allow for debate and discussions on innovations brought in by the donors in relation to local needs. The study further recommends that in cases where more than one donor exists, the NCDC and the donors should work towards developing synergies between the different initiatives to avoid duplication and overlap. Finally, there is a need for projects to use bottom-up approaches for the design and formulation of projects to ensure ownership.