NECDOL urges action against child abuse

A local non-governmental has expressed concern over the rising incidents of violence against children in the country.
Network of Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL) says relevant authorities and the Ministry of Education and Training should act swiftly to address this challenge and bring perpetrators to justice.
In a statement, the organisation stressed that the Education Act 2010 prohibits cruel punishment, noting learners shall not be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, and that the discipline of a child should not result in any form of hospitalisation.
NECDOL’s plea comes in the wake of recent reports of young children and adolescent suffering grievous bodily harm under the guise of discipline in schools.
It indicated that a two-year-old was reportedly raped at a day-care in May 2025, while a five-year-old died allegedly due to a teacher’s negligence. Reports of rape, murder, and abuse of children under the age of eight have also been made in the past.
“The future of our children depends on the immediate and decisive actions of all of us, not just some of us in prioritising their rights and well-being,” NECDOL said.