The Senate’s SDG Committee has urged the government to modernise higher education and redirect scholarship funding towards science and technology disciplines, warning that the current mismatch between qualifications and labour market demands is deepening youth unemployment.
The Senate Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Committee has called on the government to place greater focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, saying it could help tackle the growing problem of unemployment, especially among young people.
The call was made during the presentation of a committee report on measures that could be taken to address unemployment in Lesotho.
Education must keep pace with the job market
Presenting the report on behalf of the committee chairperson, Principal Chief of Leribe, Chief Joel Motšoene, said the country needs to urgently review and modernise programmes offered by universities, colleges and other institutions of higher learning. He said many courses currently offered do not fully match the skills required by today’s job market.
According to Chief Motšoene, the world of work is changing rapidly as technology continues to transform industries and create new opportunities. As a result, countries that invest in science and technology education are better positioned to create jobs, attract investment and compete in the global economy.
He noted that many of the employment opportunities available today require technical knowledge and practical skills related to science and technology. For this reason, he said Lesotho’s education system must evolve to keep pace with international developments and changing labour market demands.
“The country needs an education system that prepares young people for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Chief Motšoene highlighted several sectors that have the potential to create significant employment opportunities if properly developed. These include agriculture, mining, water management and road construction. He explained that these sectors require skilled workers such as engineers, technicians, scientists, information technology specialists and other professionals with technical expertise.
The chief also stressed the importance of innovation and research in driving economic growth. He said countries that invest in science and technology are often able to develop new products, improve productivity and attract businesses looking for skilled workers.
Redirect scholarship funding towards STEM
Supporting the committee’s recommendations, Senator Dr. Thabiso Lebese said the government should carefully examine the types of qualifications it funds through scholarship programmes.
Dr. Lebese acknowledged that programmes such as philosophy, sociology and history remain valuable because they contribute to knowledge, culture and critical thinking. However, he argued that employment opportunities in those fields are generally fewer when compared to STEM-related disciplines.
He said science and technology fields continue to play a major role in modern economies and are among the fastest-growing areas of employment worldwide.
“As much as we appreciate other fields of study, we must also recognise where the labour market is moving.”
He suggested that the government review its scholarship policy and consider directing more financial support towards programmes that are linked to industries with higher employment potential. According to Dr. Lebese, increasing support for STEM education would not only benefit individual students but would also contribute to national development by creating a workforce with the skills needed to support economic growth.
Youth unemployment a persistent crisis
His proposal comes at a time when many young graduates continue to struggle to find employment despite holding university qualifications. Concerns have often been raised that there is a mismatch between the skills produced by educational institutions and those required by employers.
Youth unemployment remains one of Lesotho’s biggest socio-economic challenges. Every year, thousands of young people complete their studies and enter the labour market, but only a limited number of jobs become available. This has left many young people unemployed for long periods, creating frustration and increasing pressure on families and communities.
The Senate committee believes that improving education and skills development could play a key role in addressing the problem. Members argued that while job creation depends on many factors, including investment and economic growth, the country must ensure that its workforce has the skills needed by employers.
They further noted that sectors such as agriculture and mining could create more opportunities if supported by modern technology, innovation and skilled professionals. The committee also emphasised the importance of preparing young people for careers in emerging industries, including information technology, renewable energy and digital services.
The senators agreed that education reform should be viewed as a long-term investment in the country’s future. They warned that without changes to the current approach, unemployment is likely to remain a major challenge. They further stressed that government, educational institutions and the private sector should work together to ensure that training programmes meet labour market needs and equip students with practical skills.
Chief Motšoene and Dr. Lebese both maintained that Lesotho has the potential to reduce unemployment and strengthen its economy if it invests strategically in education and skills development. The senators concluded that unless decisive action is taken to align education with economic realities, many young Basotho will continue to face limited employment opportunities despite years of study.
