“What the ministry calls an agreement document, was not even signed, and shockingly, some of the listed points on the document were just listed in general, having not declared what and when will such points be attended to, all that was said was ‘as soon as possible’ and what we want is a clear statement. We therefore concluded not to take part in these decisions as they serve no justice for us; there is no tangible thing that the ministry puts into action,” argued Ntsibolane. “The move by MOET that primary and post primary schools reopen on different dates it is just a strategy to cause division among teachers. For years schools have not opened on different dates and this is just absurd,” he added.

He said: "We are consulting with our members countrywide and the mood is that we should down tools and go for the biggest strike ever.” Teachers demand review of their careers and salary structure, promotions, arrears, proper implementation of the integrated curriculum and unlawful appointment of teachers grievances. Addressing the media end of December, the Deputy Minister of Education and Training 'Maphoka Motoboli said on the career and salary structure, it was resolved that the Ministries of Finance, Education and Public Service should meet and synchronise issues of career structure in line with the public sector modernisation project which is led by Ministries of Finance and Public Service in order to avoid duplication of efforts by government. She stated that for the amendment of education act, the ministry of education has to liaise with the Attorney General to expedite the issuance of a certificate so that the bill should be presented before a Special Cabinet by January 2019 in preparation for its tabling before Parliament adding that it was also directed to update teachers' formations on the processes being undertaken until the bill is finally promulgated as soon as possible in 2019.

She said: “It was agreed that a joint committee encompassing of the ministry of education and teachers unions be established so that reports on payments of areas and gratuities are constantly shared.” Promotion after acquisition of higher qualifications, said Motoboli, for all teachers who acquired higher qualification before June 2016, the ministry shall continue to promote and or normalize their appointments accordingly.  And that on the utility grant, the evidence of the schools where instructions for payment of utility grant was made, be presented to the unions as soon as possible.

“On unqualified teachers, the ministry is currently collecting data pertaining to the number, calibre and qualification of bunqualified teachers currently in service. Once data collection is completed, consultations with relevant stakeholders shall be undertaken before the government makes appropriate decisions on the way forward. The implementation of the new curriculum, the dissemination strategy will be disseminated during the month of January 2019, and the decision of the ministry on volunteerism in schools will be reviewed,” she explained.

According to Motoboli “for all teachers who acquired higher qualification before June 2016 the ministry shall continue to promote and normalise their appointments accordingly. For unqualified teachers, the ministry is currently collecting data pertaining to the number, calibre and qualification of unqualified teachers currently in service and once the data collection is completed consultations with relevant stakeholders shall be undertaken before the government makes appropriate decision on the way forward.” She added that on the issue of implementation of the new curriculum, the dissemination strategy will be disseminated during the month of January 2019 while at the same time the decision of the ministry on volunteerism in schools will be reviewed. The alliance of teachers’ associations comprises Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT), Lesotho Teachers Trade Union (LTTU) and Lesotho Schools Principal Association (LESPA).