SU-UIC Supports Release of LASC Pilot Examination Results
- The Unit for International Credentialling at Stellenbosch University (SU-UIC) has officially supported the release of results from the first-ever Lesotho Advanced Secondary Certificate (LASC) pilot. This new qualification is designed to bridge the gap between secondary school and degree-level university studies.
- To ensure the qualification meets international standards, the SU-UIC managed a comprehensive oversight process. This included moderating 18 exam papers, verifying marking and registration data, and deploying a task team to monitor the grading of the six core subjects (spanning sciences and languages).
- Despite the challenges of being the first cohort, 26 learners from six schools completed the pilot in the science stream. On January 19, 2026, the Minister of Education and Training announced that 58.9% of these learners achieved grades in the A-E band, signaling a "fair, reliable, and valid" start for the new certificate.
Stellenbosch University's Unit for International Credentialling (SU-UIC) has endorsed the release of results from the inaugural Lesotho Advanced Secondary Certificate (LASC) pilot examinations, marking a significant milestone in the Southern African nation's education reform.
The SU-UIC has been mandated to externally quality assure the LASC, a new qualification developed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) through the Examinations Council of Lesotho (ECoL) and National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC). Following the first pilot examinations written in November 2025, the SU-UIC Quality Assurance Governance Committee, chaired by Prof Sam Tshehla, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs, released a statement of support for the results on 22 December 2025.
The LASC is designed for learners entering the final phase of basic education in Lesotho and aims to prepare them for degree-level studies. Students write the LASC after completing the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE), an O-level equivalent qualification. The LASC is currently in the process of being registered on the Lesotho Qualifications Framework.
Twenty-six (26) learners across six schools in Lesotho participated in the pilot in the science stream, writing examinations in four science subjects and two languages: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sesotho, and English Language. As with any pilot phase, learners faced several challenges related to being part of the pilot phase. Nevertheless, the cohort persevered through this historic examination process.
In fulfilling its quality assurance mandate, the SU-UIC:
· Moderated and approved 18 question papers and related assessment documents across the six subjects
· Verified the marking
· Verified registration and results data
· Deployed a dedicated task team to observe the standard-setting and grading process
· Evaluated preparation processes, teacher readiness, and examination administration
The SU-UIC's processes ensured the examinations were fair, reliable, and valid while remaining mindful of the historic and pilot nature of the qualification. Feedback indicated that both the examinations and marking processes proceeded smoothly.
On 19 January 2026, Lesotho's honourable Minister of Education and Training, Dr Ntoi Rapapa, publicly announced the LASC results alongside the LGCSE results. The honourable Minister reported that 58.9% of learners achieved grades in the A-E band. Minister Rapapa commended the learners for their hard work and perseverance and highlighted the importance of continued government support.