Lesotho has taken a significant step towards strengthening quality physical education and developing a skilled sports workforce with the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Sport at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The new programme translates regional commitments made through a UNESCO-supported initiative into concrete national action that will benefit learners, educators and communities across the country.
The programme, housed within the University’s Faculty of Education, is one of the first tangible outcomes of the AUSC Region 5 Sub-Regional Forum on Quality Physical Education (QPE), convened by UNESCO and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 in October 2025. The Forum culminated in the adoption of the Thaba-Bosiu Declaration, through which Member States committed to strengthening teacher preparation, reforming physical education curricula, promoting inclusive participation, enhancing institutional partnerships and investing in human resource development.
The official launch was officiated by the Hon. Stephen Mputi, Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, alongside Deputy Principal Secretary Refiloe Kepa from the Ministry of Education and Training and the Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho, Professor Isaac Olusola Fajana.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Mputi described the programme as an important investment in a higher education system that responds to Lesotho’s development priorities.
Sport promotes inclusion, strengthens communities, builds confidence among young people. It teaches discipline, perseverance, integrity, respect and teamwork.
Hon. Stephen Mputi, Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture
Deputy Principal Secretary Refiloe Kepa highlighted that the new degree programme directly fulfils commitments made during the regional forum.
This initiative builds on the momentum generated by last year’s AUSC Region 5 Sub-Regional Forum, hosted by Lesotho with support from UNESCO and the African Union Sports Council Region 5.
Deputy Principal Secretary Refiloe Kepa from the Ministry of Education and Training
She noted that one of the Forum’s key outcomes was a renewed commitment to strengthening the capacity of institutions responsible for delivering quality physical education.
The launch of this programme is a concrete national response to those commitments, ensuring that Lesotho develops the skilled professionals needed to transform Physical Education and Sport into a catalyst for health, education, inclusion and sustainable development.
added Deputy Principal Secretary Refiloe Kepa
By preparing qualified physical education teachers, coaches and sport professionals, the programme is expected to improve the quality of physical education in schools while contributing to healthier lifestyles, greater social inclusion, gender equality in sport, youth empowerment and expanded employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The programme also advances UNESCO’s vision for Quality Physical Education (QPE), which promotes inclusive, learner-centred and development-oriented physical education that equips learners with physical literacy, confidence, life skills and lifelong healthy behaviours.
The launch demonstrates how regional cooperation can translate into lasting national reforms. By supporting policy dialogue, fostering partnerships and strengthening institutional capacity, UNESCO continues to work with Member States to ensure that regional commitments deliver meaningful results for learners, educators and communities. Lesotho’s new Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Sport stands as a practical example of how regional collaboration can create sustainable national impact.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/lesotho-turns-regional-commitments-action-new-bachelor-science-physical-education-and-sport?hub=701
