Although the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development intended to reach 9000 children through its Basic Education Strengthening Project (BESP), only 1564 children were reached.

This was revealed by the Department of Social Development Director of Planning Mrs. Mankhatho Linko during a one-day workshop held in Maseru on Thursday with the objective to unpack the BESP progress report before members of the media

Mrs Linko said 3000 children registered for this project which commenced in February last year and 1683 were reached while 1564 received the money, saying 124 children dropped out of school, therefore, she emphasised that the project is intended to bring children who dropped out of school and those that are vulnerable back to school, beneficiaries are students in grade eight and nine.

Furthermore, Linko also indicated that the project did not reach the targeted number as some children were not within the age of 12 to 18 years, some were not in grade eight and nine, some were married while others went to initiation schools and some had no interest in attending school amongst others.

Linko therefore said there is a need for the Ministry of Education and Training to trace students in each school to see attendance and dropout rates at least quarterly, adding that schools must report children that miss school continuously and report children with no proper school uniform.

She also indicated that based on above mentioned issues, the Ministry agreed to increase community councils where the project is implemented from 16 to all 64 community councils, increase project scope to grade 10, have school visits and social workers visits to children at homes amongst others.