History of Lesotho demonstration outside the royal palace in early August 1998 and in an unprecedented level of violence, looting, casualties, and destruction of property. In early September, junior members of the armed services mutinied. The Government of Lesotho requested that a SADC task force intervene to prevent a military coup and restore stability to the country. To this end, Operation Boleas, consisting of South African and (later) Botswana troops, entered Lesotho on September 22, 1998 to put down the mutiny and restore the democratically elected government. The army mutineers were brought before a court-martial. After stability returned to Lesotho, the SADC task
Education in Lesotho Education in Lesotho Education in Lesotho has undergone reforms in recent years, meaning that primary education is now free, universal, and compulsory. Lesotho spends a higher proportion of its GDP (13%) on education than any other country in the world and an average child in Lesotho can expect to spend 10 years of their life in education. Education is compulsory only between the ages of 6 and 13. Secondary school education is non-compulsory, and as of 2005 was attended by 24.0% of 13- to 17-year-olds. There is a gender disparity present in secondary education, with more females attending than males.