Limpho Sello

THE Lesotho Schools Principal Association (LESPA) is optimistic that they will return from this month’s International Confederation of Principals (ICP) in Cape Town, South Africa with fresh ideas to revamp the country’s education system.

The event that is expected to bring together at least 2000 principals from all continents will be start on 20 September.

The ICP is a global association of school leadership organisations which represents over 135 000 school leaders across five continents and, as such, commands a unique global position as a major voice for school education.

Prior to the conference there will be ICP council meeting on 20 and 21 September, and Lesotho will be represented by LESPA Vice President, Easow Varkey.

This will be followed on 25 and 26 September by a meeting of the African Confederation of Principals Council (ACP).

LESPA Vice President, Easow Varkey, recently told the Sunday Express that Lesotho lagged behind in basic education and the country had a below average ranking hence the need to attend the ICP conference and learn how other countries improved their education systems.

Dr Varkey said most schools in Lesotho did not have learning materials and teachers have very little by way of teaching aids in the classrooms.

“Lesotho children suffer in a poor learning environment so it is our hope that the ideas and skills we will acquire during the conference will be passed onto our teachers for implementation,” Dr Varkey said.

“We will also communicate with the government on any policy decisions we feel they must implement. We hope they will heed our advice on what needs to be done to improve the country’s education system.”

Dr Varkey said the ICP Convention will be under the theme ‘Brain Waves of Change’.

“This is the 13th ICP convention and the convention is held every two years. In 2015 the convention was held in Finland. Previously it was held in Australia, Canada, Singapore and the next convention will be held in China in 2019,” Dr Varkey said, adding Lesotho will be represented in Cape Town by principals drawn from different schools in the country.