The Ministry of Education and Training awarded gifts to three secondary students, who won in the annual essay writing competition of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for 2018.

At the event the Deputy Minister of Education Honourable Mothepu Mahapa, said Lesotho has been participating in this annual competition for years now, and the topic for this year was “The Role of Private Sector in Developing Industries and Regional Value Chains”.

He said under this topic learners were expected to discuss how partnership with private sector can promote industrial growth, and foster development of value chains in key priority sectors, which include agriculture, mining and health among SADC member states.

He pointed out that the purpose of these SADC secondary schools essay writing competition, is mainly to broaden knowledge of the learners on the roles and activities of SADC, and by so doing encourage learners to disseminate such information in support of the process of regional co-operation and integration.

Honorable Mahapa further stated that it is through these competitions that the youth, as future leaders, are given a platform to come up with fresh innovations and solutions to issues of interest and concern in the region.

He also said it is through these essay competitions that students acquire skills such as research skills, critical skills, analytical skills, synthesis and presentations.

Students who were awarded gifts are Keketso Posholi of Morifi High School who appeared on the first position, Sebina Ramoloko of St.James High School Mokhotlong who appeared on the second position, and Tebello Kokome of Mapoteng High School in Berea who appeared on the third position.

Posholi was awarded $500.00 (~M7000. 00) and the national and regional certificates while Ramoloko and Kokome were awarded $300.00(~M4500.00) and $200.00(~M2800.00) respectively together with the national certificates.

Present at the event were parents of the students who won the competition, Morifi High School principal Mrs Angelina Debeshe and representatives of district education offices.