The Challenges of Social Work Field Training in Lesotho

Abstract

This article examines the experiences of social work students as well as the challenges of social work field training in Lesotho with a view to mapping a way forward. Data were collected from 110 respondents made up of agency supervisors, students and lecturers. Secondary data were obtained from agency supervisors’ and students’ fieldwork reports. The findings show that there were overwhelming challenges facing fieldwork training in Lesotho, including a paucity of social welfare agencies and poor preparation of social work students and supervision of students by non-social workers. It is argued that these challenges are enormous because of the attempt to meet the global standards for social work education and training with limited resources and infrastructure. In addition, the influence of the Western idea of internationalization of social work education is also a contributing factor. The latter is reinforced by the desire for graduates to be competitive in the global labour market. Recommendations based on cultural approaches that are indigenous are presented as the way forward.

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