The World Bank has funded a book rental scheme for secondary schools in Lesotho. So, instead of students having to buy their books, the government of Lesotho buys the books (with the World Bank's money) and rents them to the students. It may save some kids money. It will mean that all students have books in class. On paper, at first glance, it looks good. But there are problems, and I went to speak with the Chief Education Officer of secondary schools about them.
I arrived just before 9 AM to speak with this Mr. Mahloka.
"When will the books come?" I asked first.
"Your principal has been told," he said.
"Oh, well, she said she didn't know. That's why I came."
"The principals have been told."
"Well, last year's books didn't come until the third quarter, but I was assured that they would be on time this year. Then in the beginning of this year I was told they would arrive by March. It's now the end of April."
"The orders have been made."
"So, you don't really know?"
"When they're ready the publishers will deliver them through the booksellers."
"Oh, but you don't really know when that will be?"
"Perhaps the middle of next month. I should learn more at the meeting today."
"Can I maybe come back by later to find out what you have learned?"
"The meeting will take all day."
Then Mr. Mahloka walked over to the door and opened it for me. But I had decided beforehand that I would not leave until I asked all that I had in mind. So I didn't move.
"Also, the students have been paying for full years. Last year they paid 220 maloti and this year they have also paid 220."
"As they should," he interjected.
"But they are only using the books for half the year."
"Now you're making a political argument. We shouldn't enter into political arguments."
Huh? OK, so he doesn't want to answer that one either.
"How about the exams. The students are supposed to read two years' worth of books for the exams next year, but they will have only had a year and a half to read. Is there any consideration of adjusting the exams because of the time they have lost?"
"You're the teacher. You do what you have to do to see to it that they read."
"Oh, so I should maybe keep them in school through their winter and summer breaks to make up for the lost time?"
"You do what you have to."
I said thanks and then took the open door. Lesotho has the lowest test scores out of any country in the Southern Africa region. I know this: The students are not the dumb ones.