Supporting curriculum reform in Lesotho

The Lesotho Council on Higher Education commissioned a national study to support the introduction of advanced level education as part of wider curriculum reform.

We worked in partnership with the Council and sector stakeholders to assess system readiness and develop a practical roadmap for implementation.

The work formed part of a broader national ambition to strengthen progression from secondary education into higher education and employment, and to align qualifications with international expectations.

The challenge

Lesotho’s education system was undergoing a period of significant change, including the introduction of the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education.

However, progression beyond this level remained limited. Students faced barriers in accessing higher education, both within Lesotho and internationally.

Key challenges included:

• limited pathways beyond lower secondary qualifications
• gaps in student preparedness for higher education, particularly in mathematics, science and English
• constraints in infrastructure, including laboratories and libraries
• a shortage of teachers experienced in advanced level teaching.

At the same time, there was strong national recognition that reform was needed to support economic development and improve opportunities for young people.

Introducing advanced level study was seen as a critical step in raising standards and expanding access to higher education.

The solution

We supported the development of a practical and evidence-led reform model. Core elements included:

• establishing a national taskforce to coordinate stakeholders and lead implementation
• partnering with an experienced international assessment organisation to support development and quality assurance
• introducing a focused set of priority subjects in the early phase
• delivering advanced level provision initially in a small number of high-performing schools
• implementing a multi-year teacher development programme
• aligning higher education entry requirements with new qualifications.

The proposed model emphasised careful planning and realistic timelines, with a minimum five-year implementation period identified as necessary for success.

Project impact

The study provided the Council on Higher Education and national stakeholders with:

• a clear, shared evidence base to support policy decisions
• a structured roadmap for introducing advanced level education
• practical guidance on resourcing, teacher development and system reform
• greater confidence in delivering change in a coordinated and sustainable way.

The work also reinforced the broader value of curriculum reform:

• improved access to higher education opportunities
• stronger alignment with international standards
• enhanced skills and employment prospects for young people.