Maseru English Medium Preparatory School (MEMPS), one of Lesotho’s most prestigious primary schools, is reeling from a deepening financial crisis, marked by mass staff resignations, unpaid debts, and delayed salaries.
Newsday has learned that at least five staff members have recently resigned, citing frustration over the school’s deteriorating financial health and unpaid wages. Staff members who remain say morale is at an “all-time low.”
One teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We cannot work under these conditions anymore. Last month, we only received 30 percent of our salaries. How do you expect us to survive?”
In a memo circulated to staff earlier this month, the school confirmed the partial salary payments:
“Please be notified that when processing the salaries, the 30 percent is calculated on the net salaries,” it read.
The memo further instructed staff who preferred to receive wages via eWallet to submit their names and cellphone numbers through WhatsApp “to speed up everything,” noting that balances in existing eWallet accounts would block transfers.
The financial strain extends beyond staff pay. According to sources, the school allegedly owes the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) approximately M120,000. The debt reportedly resulted in electricity cuts that disrupted classes.
“There has been no electricity, and we only learned later that the school allegedly owes LEC M120,000,” said another staff member.
Newsday sent questions to Acting Headmistress Phano Sharite on Wednesday, inviting her to respond to the allegations. Sharite acknowledged receipt of the questions and inquired about the publication date.
Newsday granted her until the close of business on Thursday to respond, but no replies had been received by yesterday’s deadline.
The crisis comes barely a month after Newsday reported that MEMPS had been slapped with a staggering M3.4 million legal demand by Nashua Maseru over unpaid rentals and damages.
According to legal documents filed by Webber Newdigate Attorneys, MEMPS defaulted on two long-term rental agreements signed in 2022 and 2023. The school was accused of failing to pay M647,786.39 in rentals, while Nashua is also claiming M2,803,482.32 in future rentals that would have been due by the end of the contracts.
“We are instructed that the User has failed to pay rentals and is therefore in arrears in the amount of M3,451,268.71,” the attorneys wrote. “As a result, the User is in breach of the rental agreements, and Nashua is entitled to claim immediate payment.”
The letter, dated March 3, 2025, warned that unless MEMPS settled the debt within seven days, legal action would be launched to recover the full amount, along with interest at 14.56 percent and legal costs.
But instead of addressing the mounting legal and financial troubles, MEMPS management went silent. Despite repeated attempts by Newsday to secure comment, Acting Headmistress Sharite did not respond within the deadlines she herself proposed.
On June 26, Sharite acknowledged receipt of Newsday’s formal inquiry and asked for more time: “I kindly request that you give me until next week, Wednesday the 2nd July 2025, to have responded.”
On July 3, she requested a further extension, promising to respond after a school board meeting by July 10. That deadline also passed without communication. Follow-up messages were ignored.
Internal correspondence seen by Newsday last in June confirmed that MEMPS was unable to pay July salaries on time. In a letter to staff dated July 10, 2025, Sharite admitted the school faced a “serious cash flow problem” caused by parents defaulting on school fees.
“We had a genuine hope that parents would meet their school fees payment obligation as per promise. However, we are still experiencing further delays,” the letter stated.
“As a result, salaries normally paid by the 20th of each month will only be disbursed on or after July 30. We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. For that, we sincerely apologise,” Sharite wrote.
But for many staff members, patience has run out. “The school is collapsing before our eyes, and management is not being transparent,” one staff member told this publication. “We are tired of empty promises.”
Summary
- “We are instructed that the User has failed to pay rentals and is therefore in arrears in the amount of M3,451,268.
- “As a result, the User is in breach of the rental agreements, and Nashua is entitled to claim immediate payment.
- In a letter to staff dated July 10, 2025, Sharite admitted the school faced a “serious cash flow problem” caused by parents defaulting on school fees.
Authored by our expert team of writers and editors, with thorough research.
