Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
Between 2000 and 2018, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education in Lesotho fluctuated around a range from 2.09% to 9.94% over the years. Initial government funding per tertiary student amounted to 1023.62% of GDP per capita in 2006 and decreased steadily to 51.56% in 2018, while data on initial household funding were not available.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education in Lesotho is not tuition-free. According to the Higher Education Policy for the Kingdom of Lesotho, higher education institutions can collect appropriate fees for the services they provide to students. Fee levels and structures must be regularly reviewed, and any proposed changes require advance consultation with the Minister of Education and Training before implementation.
Governance
As outlined in the Higher Education Policy for the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) is responsible for financing higher education, including the allocation and oversight of education budgets. The Minister of Education and Training sets relevant policies and approves funding arrangements for public higher education institutions. The Council on Higher Education, under this Ministry, supports it by advising on policy and quality assurance issues, as well as monitoring the use of public funds and distributing certain targeted resources.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no decentralised funding mechanisms for transferring public resources from the central government to local governments for higher education. Higher education financing and oversight remain fully centralised under the MoET, which is responsible for policy formulation, planning, and the direct allocation of funds to public tertiary institutions in accordance with the Higher Education Act (2004).
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
There is no provision in national law or policy specifying that private universities receive government funding when no public university is available. The Higher Education Act (2004) indicates that state funding constitutes one of the main sources of income for public higher education institutions, while private institutions are still subject to registration, accreditation, and quality assurance requirements under the Council on Higher Education.
Allocation and equity
No evidence was found of any equity-based or formula-driven mechanisms guiding government subsidy allocations to public higher education institutions. In principle, public higher institutions determine their funding needs and engage in annual negotiations with the government by submitting budget proposals through the Ministry of Education and Training.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission quotas or affirmative action policies for vulnerable groups in Lesotho’s public higher education system. Admission to tertiary institutions is generally merit-based, determined by academic performance in the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) or other examinations, as stipulated in the Higher Education Policy for the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Administered by Lesotho's National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS) under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the fund is the main financial assistance programme for students in tertiary education. The Fund provides loans and partial bursaries to eligible Basotho students pursuing approved tertiary programmes both in Lesotho and abroad. The scheme aims to improve equitable access to higher education and to build national human resource capacity in priority sectors such as health, education, engineering, and agriculture. Beneficiaries receive funding that covers tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs, depending on the programme type and study location. Special consideration is given to students with disabilities and other vulnerable learners such as students with fewer resources.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
There are no separate schemes for student transportation in Lesotho; all support for these needs is included under the NMDS Loan Bursary Fund Scheme, while some extra help comes from different foundations or organisations.
Accommodation
There are no separate schemes for student accommodation in Lesotho; all support for these needs is included under the NMDS Loan Bursary Fund Scheme, while some extra help comes from different foundations or organisations.
Textbooks
There are no separate schemes for student textbooks in Lesotho; all support for these needs is included under the NMDS Loan Bursary Fund Scheme, while some extra help comes from different foundations or organisations.
