School Libraries in Lesotho

Abstract

Literature abounds on both the importance of the school library and on why the school library should be integrated into the curriculum. Some countries have already made positive strides in that direction. It is against this backdrop that the situation in Lesotho with regard to secondary and high school libraries is examined. An overview of the current school library scene in Lesotho is presented. The factors holding back the development of school libraries in the country are discussed followed by recommendations of how to improve the situation. The importance of lobbying the relevant authorities in the school libraries development scheme comes out quite clearly. Finally, the development potential that exists in Lesotho vis-à-vis secondary and high school libraries is mentioned as the basis on which to pin hopes for the future.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Lesotho . Bureau of Statistics . (1995) Flash Back Statistics, 1995. Maseru: Bureau of Statistics. p.1-1.

2. Lesotho . Bureau of Statistics (1994) Lesotho Statistical Yearbook, 1994. Maseru: Bureau of Statistics. p.2-2.

3. Ibid.

4. Lesotho . Ministry of Education and Manpower Development (1997). Lesotho Secondary Schools Development Study – Phases 1 and 2 Report: Analysis of Existing Conditions. Maseru: MOE/WUSC. p.20-20.

5. Lesotho . Ministry of Education . Planning Unit (1994) Education Statistics, 1994. Maseru: Ministry of Education. pp59-59 and 67-67.

6. Lesotho. Ministry of Education and Manpower Development (1997) Lesotho Secondary Schools Development Study – Phases 1 and 2 Report, op.cit.

7. Ehlers, P.B. (1978) School libraries in the Cape Province. South African Libraries, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 109–113. p. 112-112.

8. Lesotho . Ministry of Education (1995). A Manual for Heads of Secondary and High Schools in Lesotho. Maseru: Ministry of Education. p.74-74.

9. Chisenga, Justin and Kabeli, Matseliso A.M. (1996) Lesotho National Library Services. COMLA Newsletter, No. 90, June pp. 17–22. p. 18-18.

10.

10. Ibid.

11.

11. Ibid., p.19.

12.

12. Lesotho . Lesotho Agricultural College (1995). Lesotho Agricultural College Calendar, 1995–1996. Maseru: Lesotho Agricultural College.

13.

13. Lesotho . The National Teacher Training College (1990) The National Teacher Training College Calendar, 1990. Maseru: NTTC.

14.

14. National University of Lesotho . Calendar, 1997 – 2000.(1997). Roma: NUL Information Office.

15.

15. Lesotho . Lesotho Agricultural College (1995) Lesotho Agricultural College Calendar, 1995–1996, op.cit., p. 5-5.

16.

16. Ibid., p.6.

17.

17. Lesotho . The National Teacher Training College . (1990) The National Teacher Training College Calendar, 1990, op.cit., p. 5-5.

18.

18. Lesotho . Ministry of Education . (1995) Education Act, 1995. Maseru: The Authority of His Majesty the King. p.967-967.

19.

19. Lesotho . Ministry of Education and Manpower Development . (1997) Lesotho Secondary Schools Development Study – Phases 1 and 2 Report, op.cit. p.18-18.

20.

20. Kakoma, Albert K. (1991) The School Library: Why it should be an integral part of every Zambian school. Information Trends – News Magazine, Vol.4, No.1, pp. 3–16. p.14-14.

21.

21. Lesotho . Ministry of Information and Broadcasting . (1996) Lesotho 1996 Official Yearbook. Maseru: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. p.134-134.

22.

22. Kakoma, Albert K. (1992) Library associations: an overlooked aspect in the development of librarianship in Zambia. Zambia Library Association Journal, Vol. 20, pp. 4–11. p. 6-6.

23.

23. Metzger, Andrew J.B. (1992) The training of teacher librarians for community junior secondary schools in Botswana. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science. Vol.2, No.2, pp. 141–147. p.145-145.

24.

24. Kakoma, Albert K. (1984) Developing Secondary School libraries in Zambia. M. Lib. Dissertation, University of Wales. p.28.