The objective is to create awareness on the need to teach lifeskills subject in all schools in the country to ensure that children are empowered with necessary skills to be able to make informed decisions for their future especially at this time when the number of orphans left alone in child headed households is high due to HIV and AIDS related deaths.

Addressing primary schools principals at the workshop, Mrs. Masetlabocha Khantsi said life skills subject helps children to be assertive and recognize wrong and right and be able to tackle day-to-day challenges of life on their own.

She said due to its importance the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) initiated lifeskills subject to be compulsory in all schools in the country in order to assist children especially those in child headed households to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS taking into account Lesotho is the third country among nations with high HIV and AIDS prevalent rate that brings many challenges especially among adolescent children.

Khantsi mentioned topics addressed in lifeskills syllabus include identity, gender, sexual and reproductive roles, human rights and responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, drugs and substance abuse, dealing with violence, safety and security, HIV and AIDS, population growth and caring for environment.

Lifeskills does not only helps students but also teachers saying testimonies show that since lifeskills introduced in Lesotho, some teachers are no more drinking alcohol in public where they can be seen by their students.

The Maseru District Resource Teacher (DRT) challenged all primary principals to work harder to ensure they impart lifeskills education to children at a tender age in order to prevent social and health challenges that face youths in the country and groom future leaders who are ready to overcome their challenges and still be successful even in this difficult time without their parents.

“Let us join hands and up-root life challenges among youth together using the lifeskills weapon” urged the Maseru DRT.

Meanwhile two syllabuses are currently in use for primary schools Standard 4-7 and for secondary schools from form A – C. Each school received one syllabus that is currently shared from standard 4 to 7. The process is under way to ensure each class teacher has its own copy of syllabus.

The learners’ books and teachers guide have been drafted and currently awaits printing.