Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Early Learning: Botswana and Lesotho Share Lessons on Advancing Child Rights

Honourable Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education of Botswana, visited Lesotho to exchange experiences and strengthen regional cooperation in early childhood education from 23–26 September 2025. The mission was hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training in partnership with UNICEF Lesotho, the Roger Federer Foundation, and the Network of Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL).

A key highlight of the visit was the Minister’s trip to Mafeteng district, where she observed the School Readiness Initiative in practice. Since 2019, this flagship programme has ensured that Reception Class learners in Lesotho receive at least one full year of structured early learning. The initiative has strengthened both primary schools and ECCD centres, ensuring children are developmentally on track socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically before progressing to formal schooling.

The Honourable Minister also met with UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi and UNICEF Representative Deepak Bhaskaran. Their discussion centered on advancing child rights and exploring innovative ways of mobilizing resources to improve learning outcomes, reinforcing the shared vision of the UN and national governments to invest in children’s futures.

The visit provided a platform for exchange on critical issues:

• UNICEF shared its experience in unlocking funding opportunities through partnerships with both the private sector and government, demonstrating how collaboration can drive sustainable investment in child-focused initiatives.
• The visit highlighted the potential for regional cooperation on child welfare and education, emphasizing the value of shared solutions and collective action between Botswana and Lesotho.
• Lesotho showcased data-driven decision-making in ECCD, illustrating how data is collected, synced, and analyzed monthly to guide education policy.
• Teacher capacity building through technology was also highlighted, including the use of Android tablets that provide offline access to a rich package of early learning resources.

At the conclusion of the visit, Honourable Professor Ntoi Paul Rapapa, Minister of Education and Training of Lesotho, presented his Botswana counterpart with a School Readiness tablet, a symbol of innovation and commitment to empowering teachers with the tools they need to shape young minds.

This exchange underscores the shared commitment of Botswana and Lesotho to advancing quality early childhood education. By working together and learning from one another, both countries are making important strides toward ensuring that #EveryChild has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive from the very beginning of their education journey.