Ministry launches educational radio to bridge learning gap

BOKANG MOSHOESHOE

MASERU – The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated national Educational Radio Station in a landmark move to revolutionize learning.

This pioneering initiative, led by the Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC), aims to democratize education and bridge the stark divide between urban and rural communities.

The station is designed to be a vital platform for delivering lessons and educational content directly to learners and teachers nationwide. It promises to supplement classroom instruction and, crucially, provide reliable educational resources to remote and underserved areas where facilities are limited.

‘Mabakubung Cekwane, a representative of MoET, emphasized the transformative potential of the project, saying that “the Educational Radio Station is a critical step in ensuring no learner or educator is left behind. Broadcasting technology is one of the most cost-effective and far-reaching mediums, and it will allow us to reach every corner of Lesotho with quality educational programming.”
The station’s key objectives include bringing educational resources to rural communities with limited infrastructure, enhancing classroom learning by supplementing teaching with engaging, informative, and well-researched programs to improve student outcomes as well as offering ongoing training and skill upgrades for educators across the country.

The station is further planned disseminate important announcements, policy updates, and information from the Ministry directly to teachers, parents, and students and to build on the LDTC’s decades-long legacy of providing radio lessons and self-study materials.

Education experts have welcomed the announcement, noting radio’s proven historical role in expanding knowledge. They add that the station’s potential extends beyond the formal curriculum to include life skills, civic awareness, and adult learning programs, benefiting society at large.

With thousands of learners still hindered by geography and poverty, the radio is widely seen as one of the most effective tools to ensure inclusive and equitable education. As preparations advance, anticipation is growing among educators and families, many of whom view this as a long-awaited opportunity for children in rural areas to compete on a level playing field.

If all goes according to plan, the Educational Radio Station will launch in December and begin full broadcasting in January 2026, potentially marking a transformative turning point in Lesotho’s education system.