The Senate Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Committee urged the government to prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education as part of efforts to reduce the high rate of unemployment, particularly among youth.
Presenting a Report on measures the government can take to address unemployment in the country, Principal Chief of Leribe, Chief Joel Mots’oene, speaking on behalf of the committee chairperson, said Lesotho must urgently review and modernize the types of programmes offered in higher learning institutions, so they align with the current demands of the labour market.
Chief Joel said most opportunities in today’s economy require science and technology-related skills, adding that the country’s education system needs to adapt to global trends.
He highlighted sectors such as agriculture, mining, water, and road construction as industries with strong potential to create employment if supported with the necessary technical expertise and innovation.
Supporting the committee’s recommendations, Senator Dr. Thabiso Lebese said while programmes such as philosophy, sociology and history remain important, their employment opportunities are limited compared to STEM-related fields, which are increasingly driving modern economies.
Dr. Lebese therefore suggested that the government reconsider the allocation of scholarships by reducing funding towards programmes with lower market demand and expanding financial support for science and technology studies.
The two senators agreed that unless the government adopts a different approach towards education and skills development, Lesotho will continue to face economic challenges while many young people remain frustrated by unemployment.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
