The National University of Lesotho (NUL) and the Examinations Council of Lesotho (ECOL) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at an event held at Roma.
The MoU is intended to formalize a partnership for Quality Assurance of Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) examinations.
Quality assurance involves the systematic review of educational provisions to maintain and improve their quality, equity and efficiency. It encompasses school self-evaluation, external evaluation including inspection, the evaluation of teachers and school leaders and student assessments.
In his remarks, the Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa thanked NUL and ECOL Management for the agreement they have made, saying it is up to NUL to spearhead ensuring that the country’s education is up to standard.
He said as a government, their concern is to ensure that education is not determined by monetary terms, saying the quality of education is better than money hence they should make sure that acceptance of students is based on quality assurance.
He expressed hope that through the MoU, the quality of education will be better than before, saying though it is NUL’s first time to do quality assurance, they have to accept that both parties have to engage experts for this to work perfectly.
“This signing might seem small but you should work hard to build public confidence. You should ensure that you do not use MoU to lure students to only go to NUL after completing their studies but also to other institutions of higher education,” he said.
At the same event, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Mohaeka Ralelimo assured the ministry and ECOL that the Faculty has expertise and experience in supporting ECOL with LGCSE quality assurance.
He said that they have had a long relationship with ECOL as they participated in the establishment of LGCSE, set examinations for ECOL and believe that with the support of sister faculties they will be able to deliver in the mandate of quality assurance.
He expressed gratitude to ECOL for having shown confidence in the Faculty and partnering with them to take quality assurance initiative, saying he is confident that the MoU will be of mutual benefit to both parties.
On the other hand ECOL CEO, Mr. Mokhitli Khoabane thanked all for the vision to initiate this partnership which he said he believes will go a long way in bringing fruitful results in the education system.
He said the quality assurance is to ensure that the country’s education meets both the national and international standards, saying having NUL by their side cements their work.
“We pride ourselves in products NUL has produced as most of the professionals in the country’s system come from NUL,” he said.
He noted that NUL has the potential to assist the country in doing better in localizing education and enhancing qualifications relevant to Basotho’s needs.
He said they decided to have NUL do quality assurance because they cut ties with Cambridge as it was becoming expensive for the country to access the latter’s services.
Moreover, NUL Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Fajana congratulated ECOL, saying it takes someone with integrity to recognize another’s, therefore saying they are honoured for trusting the university to do this.
He urged all to do this with vigour and determination and join hands to ensure that in the end, they have sustainable results.
Furthermore ECOL Board Chairperson, Professor Ts’epo Mokuku said with this signing they are delivering on the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development which Lesotho adopted together with other members of the United Nations (UN).
He said the Agenda focuses mainly on eradicating poverty and promoting a green economy.
He said that accreditation needed a different approach hence they have approached NUL to do the work.
Professor Mokuku noted that they are delivering on SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 16 on the strengthening of institutions.
He added that they are embarking on a journey of partnership which will eventually deliver quality education.
He said the burden of buying accreditation from overseas impacted parents and the state, saying with this signing they are considering ways of strengthening by lifting the burden for parents and the state as well.
He mentioned that they have started the journey of building capacity of partnership and quality work, saying as they sign the MoU they should be mindful of the work ahead.
Meanwhile, for years Cambridge was offering quality assurance to ECOL but the two have cut ties hence ECOL is now going to work with NUL.
MoU was signed by ECOL CEO Mr. Khoabane Mokhitli and NUL Registrar Mrs. Liteboho Maqalika-Lerotholi.
Source: LENA 20/12/2022
