Lerotholi Polytechnic
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| Lerotholi Polytechnic | |
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| Location | |
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Maseru , Lesotho | |
| Coordinates | 29°18′23″S 27°29′07″E / 29.306431°S 27.485251°E |
Lerotholi Polytechnic is a technical and vocational school in Maseru, Lesotho.
History and operations
Chief Lerotholi first conceptualized Lerotholi Polytechnic as a technical and vocational school in 1894, to be the first of its kind in Lesotho. In 1905, the first building was erected and various courses in trades were introduced. In 1929, a variety of new skills and trades in the curriculum were added, marking the beginning of a revolutionary change to address the needs and aspirations of the nation.
In 1960, the school changed its main focus as an artisan-oriented institution. The impetus of growth and dynamism in the 1970s and 1980s led to the establishment of two new schools of the Commercial Training Institute and Technician Training School. In 1991, the three schools were merged. This amalgamation came to be known as Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP). Today LP has grown enormously as witnessed by the wide range of programs it offers.
In an effort to respond to the global trends of liberalization, the government of Lesotho relinquished its responsibility over the institution and granted it autonomy through the LP Act, No. 20 of 1997 – a move meant to afford the institution the leverage to decide its own strategic direction. The honors now lie with the institution to determine its own strategies for sustainability while ensuring that it provides quality programs that will continue to attract students and respond to the technical and vocational education needs of Lesotho.
Controversy
Since 2009, Lerotholi Polytechnic has received significant negative attention for the abusive hazing rituals first year students have allegedly been subjected to.[1] In 2009 the school was forced to cancel its graduation ceremony after a student was beaten to death by former students. At least six students have reportedly died as a direct result of the school's "initiation" traditions.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Student killing rocks Lerotholi - Sunday Express". Sunday Express. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ "The wicked cult at Fokothi | The Post". www.thepost.co.ls. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
External links
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- 20th-century establishments in Lesotho
- 1905 establishments in Africa
- Buildings and structures in Maseru
- Educational institutions established in 1905
- Organisations based in Maseru
- Technical schools
- Universities and colleges in Lesotho
- Vocational schools
- 1905 establishments in the British Empire
- African school stubs
- African building and structure stubs
- Lesotho stubs