School of crafts leads by example

By Matṧeliso Phulane

School of Crafts and Development Lesotho (SCDL) took a break from its academic activities and led a social responsibility initiative by conducting a cleaning campaign around Maseru town on Tuesday last week.

The school was established in 2022 by Ntṧepase Mosotho. It offers certificates in Fashion Design, Cosmetology, Catering and Carpentry, among others, over a duration of three months, six months and 12 months depending on the type of the course.

The reason for the campaign was to keep the environment clean and lead by example as an institution with a mandate to promote and practice good hygiene.

The marketing officer of SCDL, Mpho Tema, said: “We have noticed initiatives to keep the environment clean, especially around Maseru town, are not conducted frequently and consistently.

 “So as a school, we saw a need to be part of the community and work hand in hand with them through this cleaning campaign to raise awareness on the need to keep the environment clean, hygienic and attractive to people.

“The purpose is to raise awareness on reducing pollution and waste in our environment and improving the self-image of residents and neighborhoods as a whole,” Tema noted.

SCDL’s aim is to cater for those who did not have opportunities to enroll with institutions of higher learning due to unsatisfactory high school results, but are interested in crafts-related courses.

Its mission is to give opportunities to those who desire to go to school at reasonable costs because people come from different backgrounds. There are no specific entry qualifications; everybody is welcome as long as they are 14 years and above. They only need to have their national identity document or birth certificate.

Tema said one of the challenges they encounter as a school is that many people are suspicious of vocational schools and view them as fly-by-night establishments.

“That is not true because there are difficult situations that people are facing including inflation which requires people to start their own businesses. Vocational schools are there to equip people with skills, in order for them for them to think creatively and be in a position to start their own businesses instead of being employed.

“As a school that aims to promote entrepreneurship, when we have a clean and healthy environment, there is a high chance of attracting tourists into the country; this in turn leads to many job opportunities,” she added.

On her part,Cosmetology lecturer and communication teacher Puleng Mokete, said it is vital to learn beauty courses because they contribute to economic growth, as they not only enable people to make a living but also builds self-confidence.

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment such as skin care, hair growth and care and many other things related to beauty.

 “Cosmetology is necessary in all aspects of life because we need beauty; someone may not be feeling well but when they look pretty they can be lifted up,” she said.