Limpho Sello
QUEEN ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso will on Wednesday launch a tree-planting initiative at Kolojane Secondary School in Berea as part of a campaign to improve access and quality of education in the country.
According to Education and Training Minister, Dr Mahali Phamotse, the tree-planting drive was among a number of activities lined up by her ministry, in partnership with World Vision Lesotho (WVL) and the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conversation to foster the development of the education sector.
She said the Education ministry and WVL signed an agreement to partner on educational matters this year, adding that Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso had joined the campaign as a patron of education for the humanitarian aid organisation.
“The involvement of Her Majesty resulted in the development of an engagement plan with a number of activities, including the tree-planting campaign . . .” Dr Mahali Phamotse said.
“The tree-planting, therefore, is just one of those activities that these two institutions (Education and Training ministry and WVL) will carry out.”
She said Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso joined the campaign due to her concern about the low quality and limited access to education in the country.
“To this effect, there will be billboards stationed in all the 10 districts. In the messages, the Queen will be appealing to the entire nation to fully participate in the support and provision of quality education,” said Dr Phamotse.
“We need to support the Queen in her endeavour to improve the education sector for the betterment of future livelihoods. We call on all Basotho to take part in this important national event.”
She said 68 205 trees would be planted countrywide during the campaign in 2016, consisting of 56 105 indigenous trees and 12 100 fruit trees.
“The growth of a tree is likened to the growth of a Mosotho child. The caring, feeding and general nurturing of a tree is synonymous to the caring and nurturing of a child to full development,” the minister said.
“To this effect, the tree-planting will be led by children and Her Majesty at Kolojane Secondary School in Berea on 23 March 2016 where the main event will be taking place.
“It should be noted that children from the early childhood care and development (ECCD) centres will be in the forefront at the event which will start at 7am. The rest of the districts will also be participating in the tree planting at the designated areas in consultation with respective district administrators.”
Dr Phamotse said the initiative was also meant to foster a culture of afforestation.
“One of the main objectives of this important initiative is to sensitise community members, including children and other relevant stakeholders, on the importance of protection and conservation of the environment, and urgent actions to be taken to combat the effects and impact of climate change which is in line with Sustainable Development Goal number 13,” she said.
WVL Education Technical Programme Manager, Palesa Molapo, told the Sunday Express this past week they were advocating for children as young as three years of age to be enrolled at ECCD centres to nurture a desire for learning.
She said the tree-planting exercise was an apt analogy since children also needed to be moulded and nurtured.
“The activity of planting trees is meant to bring awareness on the need to nurture children in like manner,” Ms Molapo said.
“Children need to be groomed, and we hope parents will take the message we want to relay well.”