The Technical and Vocational Division (TVD) of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) handed over computers to 13 vocational schools aimed at introducing Information Technology for both students and teachers. Each school received five computers.

The total of 16 vocational schools benefited from computers, but three of them have no electricity to operate the computers. According to TVD Deputy Director Mr. Thabang Polumo, plans are underway to purchase generators to help remote schools with no electricity.

The vocation schools that benefited are those that offer skills training particularly for school drop-outs and others in order to empower them with necessary skills to be self reliant. Most of the children admitted are those that completed or dropped from school due financial constraints caused by death of parents or poverty.

The students who are orphans and vulnerable are sponsored by Global Fund grants, Round 2 and now Round 7, while other needy children are sponsored by Government of Lesotho through National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS).

The common skills offered in vocation schools are building and construction, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, knitting and sewing, home science, business studies as well as candle making, but computer training was not offered due to lack of equipment.

All 80 computers for 16 schools were funded by Global Fund grants (Round 7) to the tune of M928,906.80 (USD$109,283).

On behalf of their schools, head teachers thanked the Government and Global Fund for the support saying to some of them this will be the first time to use computers in their lives. They promised to use computers for intended purposes of imparting information technology skills to children.

Meanwhile teachers from all 16 vocational schools are currently attending a two-week computer training workshop held at Itjareng Vocational school from June 15 to 26, 2009. During the training, teachers will learn about computer basics such as application, word and excel. The trained teachers will use their skills to train children in their respective schools.

One of the trainee teacher Matseliso Possa, 33 years-old from Bernada economics school said “this is the first time I am trained in computers and will be the first time to teach students computers.”

Possa said the computer manuals offered to them are user friendly therefore will be able to use them when teaching children without any difficulties.

The schools that received computers are St. Mary’s home economics school, Bishop Allard vocation school, Bernarda home economics school, St. Elizabeth training institute, Lesotho Opportunity Industrialization Center (LOIC), Thabana-li-‘mele and Matheko youth center.

Other schools that also received computers are Mohatlane vocational school, Molumong skills center, Lesala vocational centre, Bethel Business community centre, Taung skills training centre, technical school of Leribe, Itjareng vocational training center, technical institute of Leloaleng and Mohloli oa bophelo rehabilitation center.