The Implementation of the Child Grants Program (CGP) in Lesotho

Social protection of children in Lesotho remains a challenge as the country struggles to increase the coverage and value of cash transfers given to households caring for vulnerable children. This paper draws on a doctoral study which focused on the implementers’ and beneficiaries’ experiences of the implementation of the Child Grants programme (CGP) in Lesotho. This study employed a qualitative research methodology using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect responses from a selection of programme implementers which included government and non-government officials and the program beneficiaries. The study’s finding showed that the CGP had some positive impacts which included improved school attendance and the ability of households to afford basics. However, other findings indicated that there were several factors which hindered the effectiveness of this programme; such as a lack of public participation, lack of decentralisation, poor administrative capacity, resource constraints, the low value of the grant and the unpredictability of the payments. Similar research in Lesotho has argued that for social assistance programmes to achieve the best impacts, cash transfers need to be provided regularly and in a consistent and predictable manner. In Lesotho, it is evident that the CGP is not prioritised and not adequately funded which results in the persistence of child poverty. The recommendations of the study based on the findings point to the need for improvement of targeting and enrolment processes, decentralisation of CGP case management, digitalisation of CGP payments and addressing resource constraints and administrative capacity. These programme revisions could significantly contribute towards building the base of the country’s human capital for political, social and economic development.