Maseru – Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and the Lesotho College of Education (LCE) launched an ambitious ICT teacher training project on Thursday. This initiative aims to equip educators with essential digital skills, addressing the disparities in digital education which were starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event began with a notable announcement from Rethabile Khanyane, Registrar at LCE who expressed the institution’s enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are thrilled to witness the launch of the ICT teacher training project between Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and our college. Today we will sign a memorandum of understanding to seal this ground-breaking initiative,” Khanyane stated.
This formal agreement signifies a pivotal step towards integrating digital literacy into the teaching framework, ensuring educators are well-prepared to navigate the demands of modern education.
Mrs. Pinki Mokoena, from Vodacom Foundation, highlighted the broader scope of the Foundation’s work, “while our initiative today focuses primarily on education, our efforts also extend to health, gender equality, and disaster relief. The main objective of the ICT teacher training is to enhance the delivery of learning by providing digital skills to learners.”
Mokoena also announced a partnership with Computer Business Solutions (CBS) which specializes in digital learning.
Mokoena announced that 2,000 teachers will be trained under this initiative, “we aim to train both in-service and pre-service teachers, ensuring no one is left behind.”
Reflecting on the disparities witnessed during the pandemic, Mokoena said, “public school students were unable to learn online while their counterparts in private schools continued their education. Our foundation is committed to bridging this gap.”
The collaboration is set to span five years with a provision for renewal based on ongoing needs. In addition to the ICT training project, Mokoena announced the launch of the Vodacom Bursary, focusing on STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Mr. Tšepo Ntaopane, Executive Head of Department at Vodacom, acknowledged the international support for the project. “Some of the funding comes from Vodafone in the United Kingdom. We will soon be launching a software program project as well,” Ntaopane revealed.
Mr. Moeketsi Letele, Rector of LCE, spoke passionately about the college’s strategic plan for 2022-2027.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards equipping our nation’s educators with the essential digital skills to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape,” Letele said.
He highlighted the benefits of access to online resources, innovative teaching methodologies, and cutting-edge tools, which will empower lecturers to guide students effectively in the 21st century. Letele called on all stakeholders and the broader community to embrace this transformative opportunity and actively participate in the digital evolution of education.
Hon. Nthati Moorosi, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, urged LCE to incorporate online courses and seminars into their curriculum.
“Our challenge as the ministry is to ensure there is a legal framework to cover artificial intelligence,” Moorosi stated. She underlined the importance of regulatory measures in this digital era.
Minister Moorosi also extended gratitude to Vodacom Foundation for their vital role in making this vision a reality.
