Maseru
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) launched an online course for 100 Basotho men that will run for a month starting18 August.
The training will be conducted by the ministry in partnership with Digital School and the Skilled Academics and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global initiatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and monitored by the Technical Vocational Education (TVD) department.
“The training will offer four courses: Reception and Access Control Management, CCTV monitoring and Patrol duties, Incident reporting, crowd control, emergency response and fire safety,” Ntoi Rapapa, the Minister of MoET, announced.
He said they had prepared to undergo these courses with LOIKI, Thaba-Tseka Technical Institute, CCCC Leribe, and Ntlafatso located in Mohale’s Hoek.
“After discussions and considerations, the first training phase will intake 100 trainees. The selected beneficiaries should have at least a COSC or LGCSE certificate and should be between the ages of 21 and 40. The purpose of the certificate stands as proof that there won’t be any language barrier as the courses will be delivered in English,” the minister said.
He, however, noted that candidates don’t need to have passed this level of education, but the certificate will offer evidence that the candidate has sat for their examinations.
“Post negotiations, the first training cohort has been designated to be undergone by only males. Candidates should be no less than 173cm tall as per the requests by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The reason behind this, in their experience, is that places that offer jobs related to these courses like airports, tend to be highly strict with meeting height requirements,” Rapapa said, adding that the ministry will monitor performance and search for opportunities in and outside the country but within the SADC region.
In the next cohort, the ministry is optimistic to include the lecturers of the four selected institutes to pass the skills to the learners.
To further improve the course, talks between the Ministry and the UAE to introduce 5 extra courses as time progresses are still ongoing, and the extension promises to include females as beneficiaries too.
These courses will also be availed for countries including Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
