The primary school curriculum is universally regarded as the foundation for imparting basic education and life skills that children need to meet the ever-changing life challenges. primary school years introduce the student to writing, reading, and numeracy skills, and basic messages and concepts on the environment, nutrition, health, population, and civic education.
The primary school cycle leads to the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination, taken in the 7th grade, and which determines access to secondary school. Primary schooling in Lesotho is free, universal, and compulsory as of the year 2000. Primary school is composed of 7 years of education and 7 grades. In some cases, Primary school is sometimes further divided into lower primary (grades 1-4) and upper primary (grades 5-7).
- Age : 6-13 years
- Duration: 7 years
- Grade : Grade 1 to 7
- Primary Languages : English
- Terms : 3 terms
- Admission Term : Beginning of the term- January.
Primary school curriculum- The primary school Integrated Curriculum for Lesotho is derived from five Learning Areas namely Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Personal, Spiritual and Social, Linguistic and Literary, Numerical and Mathematical and Scientific and Technological areas. The primary syllabus focuses on subjects such as Sesotho, English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Arts and Entrepreneurship, and Life skills.
Examples of International Foundation phase schools in Lesotho
There are various schools in Lesotho offering primary education to international students. Most of these offer an international curriculum or an integrated curriculum.
Nightingale International School
This is an international school offering quality education to all children coming from different socio-economic backgrounds. The school offers education focused on holistic student development while adhering to proper suitable methodology, strategies, and techniques.
- Established: 2010
- Address: Maoeng, Red A road City, Butha-Buthe.
- Duration: 7 years
- Levels: grade 1 to 7
- Ages: 6-13 years.
- Opening hours: 7 a.m To 4 p.m
Curriculum- The school's primary curriculum is based on subjects that include English SeSotho, mathematics, social studies, science and technology, french, information and communication technology, literature, computer studies, to mention but a few.
Extracurricular activities- students are given the chance to showcase their talents, to be enriched, be nurtured, and compete while having fun in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities including Aerobics, Soccer, Dance, Volleyball, and Music, to mention but a few.
Facilities- The school offers facilities such as a computer lab, a library, a kitchen and canteen, boarding accommodation, and classes for various grades, to mention but a few.
The school bases its education on 6 pillars and strives to offer the best education possible and to equip students to be ready for the dynamic world. These pillars include integrity, excellence, empowerment, accountability for all, student learning and well-being, and integrated learning.
Soofia International School
It is a diverse, multi-racial, international school located in the Butha-Buthe districtthatoffers a Cambridge curriculum from pre-school to the high school level. This English Medium School aims to maintain high standards and to make quality education accessible to students irrespective of their color, race, and religion. It also aims to Mould and produce students with confidence in facing future challenges.
Primary school level
- location: Butha-Buthe district, Lesotho.
- established: 1990
- students: 1400+
- academic staff: 60+
programs and curriculum- The primary school section offers classes from Grade 1 to Grade 7 and At the end of Grade 7, students will sit for Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations that will enable progression into secondary school. The following are the subjects offered by the primary school section:
- Art and Design
- Digital Literacy
- English Language
- French
- Global Perspectives
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Sesotho
- Science
Digital Literacy is offered to all learners from the second grade up to the 7th grade.
Facilities- students at the school have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as a Computer Lab, a Science Lab, a Library, and Sports Facilities including multi-purpose courts, all of which are aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the students.
Sport and extracurricular activities- the school is dedicated to the round development of its learners. It offers various indoor and outdoor activities where students can be recreationally and competitively engaged and these include Soccer, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Chess, Basketball, Scrabble, Netball, Monopoly, Cricket, and Tennis.
Prospective students- The admission primary school section is currently open to students seeking admission into foundation and grade 1 only. the basic requirements for admission into primary school here are as follows:
- A student seeking admission into Grade 1 must be at least 6 years old
- The applicant must have 2 years of Pre-School Education
- Admission will strictly be on merit and space available
- A non-refundable Registration Fee payable in Cash
- A copy of the applicant's birth certificate
- a copy of the Parent’s Passport
- a Testimonial from the previous school
- Result slip or recent report card from the previous school.
Note that all documents that are not in English must be translated into English before submission and Both the original and translated versions must be submitted.
The American International School of Lesotho (AISL)- primary school section
It is an international school that offers academic excellence and personal development for children from the age of 3. It offers a diverse community with students from more than 21 countries striving and learning together. The school focuses on producing more world-conscious students and positive citizens in an ever-challenging and dynamic world while taking care of the individual needs of each child.
- Opened:1991
- Address: 14 United Nations Road, Maseru 100, Kin Lesotho
- Ages: 6-14 years
- Grades: K- 8th grade
- Duration: 8 years
- Language: English
- International representation: 21 nationalities
Admission Term: the beginning of 1st term-January
Terms: 3
The American International School of Lesotho (AISL) is inclusive and offers admission to children of diplomatic and consular officers of foreign countries, children of employees of international organizations, children of employees of foreign companies working in Lesotho, and any locals wishing to study here.
Prospective students- Admission at the school is must be by written application to The American International School of Lesotho (AISL) along with the submission of required documentation and completion of a screening process. The following documentation must be provided for consideration for admission:
- Copy of the Birth certificate of the student
- and a copy of the passport of the student and parent.
- One recent color photo of the student.
- Academic records from the previous school.
- Any special learning evaluations are done by a previous school or outside agencies (if applicable).
- Academic references from current school (for transferring students)
- Medical records including vaccination records
- Parent’s or guardian’s statement outlining why the family wishes to join the AISL community.
- a commercial letter of financial responsibility if education is company-sponsored.
Tuition and fees- The tuition and other fees payable at the school are as follows:
Non-refundable Application fee- once off US $216 (3 000 maloti)
Capital Fe- once off US $3 630 (58 000 maloti)
Transportation fee per annum
One Way US $1 000.00 (16 000 maloti)
Incluidng Return US $2 000 (32 000 maloti)
Note that the bus only operates within a limited area within Maseru and is an optional extra for parents.
Tuition Schedule for Kindergarten to Grade 8 for the 2021- 2022 Academic Year
Details Amount/ year
Category A- where Tuition is paid by families: no reimbursement by employer M 100 000
Category B- whereTuition is paid or reimbursed by employer US$ 14 000
Note that Families wishing to make a payment plan must communicate directly with the business office and agree upon a schedule before making any payments.
Maseru Preparatory School
This is one of the oldest English medium schools in Lesotho, accredited by the Cambridge International Primary School curriculum. It is A co-educational school catering to children from four to eleven years of age. The school year at Maseru English Medium Preparatory School follows a northern calendar with the first term starting in August and the third term ending in late June or early July.
- Address: Corner Caldwell Rd, Maseru West, Lesotho
- Age range: 4-12years
- Student population: 300+
- International representation; 26 countries
- Type: Private, co-educational
- Membership: ISASA
- Opening hours: 08:00 am to 3:00 pm
The school has suitably qualified Teachers, recruited from a wide range of national and cultural backgrounds. Support for children with mild learning difficulties is also offered here.
Curriculum- the school has Specialists who teach subjects and areas including information technology, English as a Second Language, Sesotho, French, music, art, and physical education, to mention but a few.
Extracurricular activities- include choir, instrumental music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, Sesotho, French, chess, computers, soccer, tennis, swimming, rugby, baseball, volleyball, and cricket. T
Facilities- The school has various facilities including 25 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, music room, gymnasium, assembly hall, tennis courts, swimming pool, and playing fields.
