Abstract:
Education is a fundamental human right that is encapsulated in the Constitution of
Lesotho. This right can be fully enjoyed if children are given the opportunity to attend
school at an age. The challenges that hinder children to enjoy this right at their early
years of schooling serve as a barrier that impedes them to realise their full potentials in
life. Early childhood education enables children to have a positive attitude towards
schooling. The main purpose of this study was to uncover the challenges that hinder the
implementation of the National Policy for Integrated Early Childhood Care and
Development in pre-schools in the rural areas of the Mokhotlong district in Lesotho. This
study adopted a qualitative research approach. Questionnaires and interviews were used
to collect data. The findings of this study revealed that some of the challenges that hinder
the implementation of this policy in the rural areas of the country include shortage of
trained teachers, poor infrastructure, lack of parental involvement and lack of supervision.
Therefore, it is recommended that the government should ensure that there is adequate
funding prior to the implementation of educational policies. Provision of adequate
infrastructure should also be taken into consideration to enable smooth implementation
of this policy
