Secondary education in Lesotho lasts about 5 years, encompassing three years of junior secondary education (grades 8-10, and two years of senior secondary education (grades 11-12).
The purpose of secondary education is to get students to develop and strengthen their study and work habits or preparing them for further studies and access to the labour market. On completion of secondary education, students can either further their studies at a tertiary institution and some may opt to find a job.
Levels: junior secondary and senior secondary school
- Duration: 5 years
- Grades: 8-12
- Language of Instruction: English
- Awards: Junior Certificate, LGCSE, or IGCSE
- Terms : 3 terms
At the Junior Secondary level, students will sit for the nationally administered Junior Certificate Examination, which will determine their progress into senior secondary education. At senior secondary school, students will sit for the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) examination or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination.
Secondary school Curriculum
The secondary school structure for Lesotho is made up of core subjects and compulsory subjects under various learning areas as follows:
Core subjects
Linguistic and literary- Sesotho, English, Art and Crafts, Drama, Music and other languages
Numerical and mathematical- Mathematics
Personal, Spiritual and Social- History, Religious Education, Health and Physical Education, Development Studies, Life Skills
Scientific and Technological- Science, Geography, Agricultural Science, Technical Subjects
Creativity and Entrepreneurial- Business Education, Clothing and Textile, Food and Nutrition, Home Management, Information Communication, Technology (ICT), Accounting
Compulsory subjects
Linguistic and literary- Sesotho and English
Numerical and mathematical- Mathematics
Personal, Spiritual and Social- Life Skills
Scientific and Technological- Science
Creativity and Entrepreneurial- any subject
Let us look at some of the schools offering secondary education for expatriates or foreigners in Lesotho.
National University Of Lesotho International School (NULIS)
This is a co-educational, non-sectarian, non-political, and non-racial private day school managed by the National University of Lesotho. It offers elementary and secondary educational programs with English as the medium of instruction. It serves students from the age of 4 to 16 years. The school aims to provide educational programs of the highest standard at all levels and to facilitate students’ transfer into national or international systems of education.
- Established: 1962
- Address: P.O Roma 180, Maseru, Lesotho.
- Grades: reception to secondary school
- Curriculum: IGCSE (Cambridge)
- Type: Co-educational
- Semesters: 2 (January to June and August to December)
Examinations- students will be expected to sit for examinations at various levels of their secondary education. These examinations include:
Junior Certificate Examination- Only students who have satisfactorily completed Grade 9 will be registered for the Junior Certificate Examination.
Checkpoint Examination- a Checkpoint Examination is to be taken at Grade 9, offered by Cambridge International Examination.
International General Certificate of Secondary Education- Only students who have satisfactorily completed Grade 11 will be registered for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination in the following year.
Prospective students- prospective students should schedule an interview and entrance test to be considered for admission. Places at the school are limited and only the best candidates will be selected. The following are also required to apply for admission:
- application forms
- an application and interview fee of M60
- a passport-size photo
- a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or a baptismal certificate
- certified copy of passport,
- the latest progress report
- a conduct certificate or testimonial signed by the child’s principal (from the previous school)
Machabeng College- International School of Lesotho
This is an English Medium School in Lesotho. The school is a fully accredited international institution of learning offering IGCSE and International Baccalaureate programs. It is open to all academically qualified students, regardless of their religious affiliations or nationality.
The school offers education for students from the age of 11 upwards. The school aims to develop students holistically and provide them with learning-to-learn skills that will prepare them to lead successful lives in an inter-cultural world.
- Established: 1977
- Address: Tona Kholo Rd Maseru West P.O. box 1570 Maseru 100, Lesotho
- Student population: 600
- International representation: 40+ nations
- Academic staff: 60+
- Language of Instruction: English
- Curriculum: Cambridge
The school is divided into lower, middle, and upper schools. The school offers a broad curriculum at all levels.
Lower school curriculum- the lower school program encompasses secondary 1 to 3, which is equivalent to the South African grades 7 to 9. The curriculum offers a variety of subject as follows:
Secondary 1- art, computer studies, drama, English, French, geography, history, library skills, mathematics, physical education, science, Sesotho, physical, social, and health education (PSHE), and English for speakers of other languages.
Secondary 2- art, computer studies, drama, English, French or Sesotho, geography, history, library skills, mathematics, physical education, science, physical, social, and health education (PSHE), and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Secondary 3- art, computer studies, drama, English, French or Sesotho, geography, history, mathematics, physical education, biology, chemistry, physics, business studies, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
Middle school curriculum- middle school here encompasses secondary 4 and secondary 5. The school offers an IGCSE curriculum for its students. The middle school curriculum allows students to study core subjects and additional elective subjects as follows:
Compulsory subjects- English language, mathematics, second language English, Sesotho or French, and Physical education which is non-examinable. Students are expected to study at least 7 examinable subjects, hence the other 4 subjects are chosen from the following elective:
Electives/ options- chemistry, biology, art, English literature, Drama, physics, computer science, history, geography, accounting, and physical education. Students have to take at least one science subject.
Upper School curriculum- the upper school encompasses IB1 and IB2. The upper school offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma program. The following are offered for the International Baccalaureate program:
Language A1- English language and literature
Language B and AB Initio- English B, French B, Spanish Ab Initio, Mandarin Ab Initio.
Individuals and Societies- History, Geography, Business, and Management, Information Technology in a Global society.
Experimental Sciences- biology, chemistry, physics, sports, exercise and health science
Mathematics- Mathematics, mathematical studies
Creative arts- visual arts, theatre arts.
