The national Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) programme, ReNOKA in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and relevant education institutions, has launched a program which seeks to develop an ICM awareness and educational programme for both basic and non-formal education in Lesotho.
The initiative which commenced on Thursday 7th December 2023 through the launch officiated by MOET at ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru, lays a prudent foundation for a strategic partnership between ReNOKA and the education sector in Lesotho.
The program, “Strengthening Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) capacity in contribution to attain quality education in Lesotho through both basic and non-formal platforms and support inclusiveness and practical actions” will introduce ICM and climate change subjects into schools’ curricula in the 10 districts of Lesotho.
It aims to empower and equip young people with knowledge and tools necessary to play an active role in ICM, take care of the natural resources and navigate through the climate change impacts. The toolboxes and learning materials will then be developed under this program.
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Rats’iu Majara emphasized the importance of imparting knowledge on natural resources management amongst the learners. He said the ministry is pleased to have incorporated the key topics that will aid students with climate change resilience skills.
“This collaboration focuses on soil and water conservation. As the ministry, we are incorporating in our curriculum, key topics that aid students to adapt to climate change. We are therefore delighted to officiate this program which will enable the young people in and out of school to seize the opportunities and help them stay at the forefront of protecting Lesotho’s natural resources” he said.
The Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Mohlomi Moleko complimented the ReNOKA programme for this milestone and called on the action to protect the land and water resources.
“It is important that we protect our resources, whether you are a young person or an elder, it is our responsibility to ensure the sustainable use of the natural resources. Through the ReNOKA programme, we will surely achieve this vision and as the government, we will make sure that we continue to support ReNOKA and make it sustainable” he said.
The move is a true testament to the ReNOKA’s unwavering commitment to nurturing, supporting, and ensuring Lesotho’s success in natural resources management.
Explaining the program in detail, the National ICM Coordinator Makomoreng Fanana said it will develop a guideline for teachers on how to teach ICM relevant topics within the different career subjects.
“Various key actors will develop this guideline jointly, such as the Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC), Geography and Environment Movement (GEM), the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Lesotho College of Education (LCE), Lesotho Association of Non-Formal Education (LANFE), the National University of Lesotho (NUL) and the Ministries of Education and Natural Resource Management at large. Contents will cover the fundamental ICM basics put in place like planning processes and implementation measures to address land degradation within the catchments, such as interventions to improve agricultural practices, manage run-off or natural resources management”.
In attendance was also the European Union Delegation in Lesotho, Head of Cooperations, Mario Varrenti, who highlighted the importance of empowering young people with knowledge to manage the natural resources. “Just a few months ago under ReNOKA, we inaugurated the first Master of Science in Integrated Catchment and Water Resources Management at the National University of Lesotho, an investment in the next generation of natural resources management professionals in Lesotho and the whole region. We must also extend our efforts to primaries, secondaries and high schools and non-formal education,” Varrenti noted.
The program is expected to start in 2024, with basic, non-formal and tertiary education institutions together with relevant government departments set to undergo Literature Review to incorporate the ICM concepts in the curriculum for basic and non-formal education.
Also speaking, Lisemelo Mosakeng of LANFE said non-formal education is pleased to be part of this initiative. she said her association works closely with herders, who are said to be interacting with the environment regularly. “Herders will enjoy the this opportunity of being engaged in the issues that affect them, that is natural resources management. This will go a long way in yielding the positive results”.

The Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Training, Rats’iu Majara at the launch of ReNOKA in education sector