MASERU – The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) Education Inspector says, the introduction of a referral form tool in some piloted schools has contributed significantly in reducing learners’ absenteeism.Ms. Joyce Khomari indicated that  upon their inspection in the districts of Leribe, Thaba-Tseka and Qacha’s Nek, where the project seeking to link health facilities for increased learner uptake of health services programme was piloted and  has registered progress.

She explained that teachers have reported that the previous rates in which learners were missing classes on grounds that they are sick has reduced to this regulated tool.She said the referral form tool does not only serve the purpose of allowing learners to get services at health centres, but also monitors them between schools and health centres.

She added that, now that they have seen strong collaborations between schools and the Ministry of Health (MoH) as well as the level of them missing classes has declined with only those who are genuinely sick still receiving services effectively.

Meanwhile, the Agency has established that this comes after a reflection meeting held by MoET and MoH, where the intention was to establish successes and challenges of the proposed linkage project implemented by Touch Roots Africa (TRA) on how best to expand the said project to other schools.