Lesotho

Teacher training takes place at both the secondary and tertiary levels. Programs are offered at both teacher training colleges and universities. While the Primary School Leaving Certificate is generally regarded as too low a standard of admission, it may be accepted, especially because of the shortage of teachers. Most programs, however, require either a JC or the COSC with passes in English and Mathematics. Students who are admitted with a JC are expected to catch up with COSC holders. Most programs require two years, some require three.

Programs at the Lesotho National Teacher Training College: The Primary Teachers' Certificate requires a JC plus two years Secondary education. Advanced Primary Teachers' Certificate requires the COSC plus two years tertiary education. The Secondary Teachers' Certificate requires the COSC plus two years tertiary education. The Diploma in Education requires the COSC plus two years tertiary education. The Certificate in Primary Education requires the Primary Teachers' Certificate plus one credit in COSC plus two years experience plus two years part-time tertiary education. The Diploma in Primary Education requires the Primary Teachers' Certificate, plus the COSC, plus two years experience plus one year tertiary education. The Diploma in Secondary Education requires the Secondary Teachers' Certificate, plus two years experience plus one year tertiary education.

The Secondary Teacher Training Program consists of education courses and a basic core of English, social studies, and preparation of teacher aids. Students may specialize in either home economics or elementary technology. They may also choose English, in which they cover general composition and general literature, Sesotho, or religious knowledge as their major area. For the Diploma in Secondary Education, students may choose either a humanities or a science concentration. They attend the first year with all other first year students.

The teacher training colleges also offer professional certificates for in-service study. These certificates range from lower certificates for upgrading unqualified and under qualified teachers to higher certificates for furthering the training of qualified teachers. Each of the professional certificate programs atthe National Teacher Training College in Lesotho includes an internship year during which students teach in a school and are responsible to both the college and the regular school management. Students are paid during their internship year, and the certificates lead to promotions and higher pay.

The National University of Lesotho offers university level education programs that may lead to a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), a Concurrent Diploma in Education, a Post Graduate Diploma, or a Masters of Education (M.Ed.).