What informs the implementation strategies of the Lesotho free primary education? : an analysis of stakeholders' perception at Pitseng primary school.
Morojele, Pholoho Justice.
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This is a case study that investigated the Pitseng Primary School stakeholders' understanding of the purpose and objectives of Free Primary Education (FPE), the strategies that they have developed and adopted for the implementation of this programme, the challenges they encountered in their efforts to implement FPE, and how they addressed these challenges. Pitseng Primary School is located in the Leribe district in Lesotho. The study used the questionnaires which were administered to teachers and the governing body of Pitseng Primary School. Group interviews were conducted with 8 teachers and 3 members of the governing body. Individual interviews were conducted with 10 parents and the researcher used observations to collect and verify the data. This study was informed by critical, pragmatic and positivistic approaches to policy implementation. The findings of this study have revealed that the Pitseng Primary School's stakeholders understand the purpose of FPE as a vehicle to make all Basotho children get basic education, provide jobs for the needy Basotho people, eliminate hunger and malnutrition among the Basotho children, and reduce teenage and juvenile crime. The study has also found that there are no formally developed and adopted strategies for FPE implementation at Pisteng Primary. The government determines all the strategies, and the actions that various stakeholders take at the school/community level are an ad hoc response to the pressing demands of FPE implementation. Lack of resources, massive enrolment of pupils, lack of co-operation among stakeholders, and HIV/AIDS are some of the challenges that impede the effective implementation of FPE at Pitseng Primary School. The information that the government relayed to parents lacked insight of the practical implications for FPE implementation at Pitseng Primary and this has created a conflict between various stakeholders at the school regarding the implementation of this programme. To facilitate the school's efforts towards effective implementation of FPE and resource mobilisation, the study recommended that the stakeholders at Pitseng Primary School should hold regular meetings wherein they clarify the role and responsibilities that all parties have to play for the implementation of FPE. The government of Lesotho should give the school autonomy to develop appropriate strategies for the implementation of this programme.