The Minister of Development Planning, Dr Tlohelang Aumane says his ministry’s core business during the COVID – 19 lockdown shall be one relating to issues of National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS).
Presenting the Ministry of Development Planning COVID-19 plan in Maseru on Friday, Dr Aumane said a small number of the ministry’s officers will still come to work at NMDS offices during the lockdown period to ensure that students affairs are dealt with.
He said submission of applications for scholarships, which are due in different countries are still open for submission so that such will be processed starting on Friday (27 March 2020).
Again, students will also access information through social platforms such as NMDS Facebook page among others, he added.
Talking specifically about students studying in China, he said the government has plans to send extra cash for these students in a bid to provide support.
However, Dr Aumane said it is too early to predict if these initiatives meant to assist in all possible ways will have an effect to the 2020/21 academic year intake of students locally.
Also speaking was the Principal Secretary in the same ministry, Ms. Nthoateng Lebona who said institutions of higher learning are expected to write recovery plans as this will enable them to know intervention measures during and after this crisis.
Present during the presentation included senior officers in this ministry.
Source: LENA 27/03/2020