Appointment of Dr Solomon Chibaya as the 6th Rector of the Lesotho College of Education (LCE)
Brief Bio
The LCE has appointed Dr Solomon Chibaya as Rector, effective 5th January 2026. He holds a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership and brings extensive experience in higher education leadership, research, governance, and policy across Southern Africa. As Rector, he is committed to strengthening institutional governance, advancing research and innovation, enhancing teacher education quality, and positioning LCE as a key contributor to national and regional development.
Detailed Bio
Dr Solomon Chibaya is a distinguished scholar, academic leader, and public intellectual whose work spans education leadership, policy studies, and ethical governance in education. He holds a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership from the University of the Witwatersrand, alongside advanced qualifications in Educational Leadership, Management, and Science and Mathematics Education. His academic formation reflects a deep commitment to both scholarly excellence and the practical transformation of education systems.
An experienced educator across schooling and higher education sectors in Southern Africa, Dr Chibaya has taught and lectured in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He has served in academic roles at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of the Free State. At UFS, he contributed extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, supervising Honours, Master’s, and doctoral research in Education Management, Policy, and Comparative Education. His supervision record reflects a sustained commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars and educational leaders.
Dr Chibaya’s research is internationally recognised, with publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals addressing ethical leadership, trust in education, internationalisation of higher education, education law, and technology-enabled teaching and learning.
His scholarship is particularly noted for its focus on leadership in contexts of turbulence, inequality, and institutional complexity, offering both theoretical insight and policy relevance.
He has also contributed to influential international reports, including work supported by IEASA and the British Council, examining universities’ readiness for global engagement.
A recipient of several prestigious honours, including the Education International Scholarship, Golden Key International Honour, and a Freestanding Postdoctoral Fellowship, Dr Chibaya’s academic standing is matched by his public engagement. He is a frequent commentator in national media, contributing informed analysis on education reform, governance, and legislation, and has participated in radio, print, and policy dialogue platforms across South Africa.
In 2026, Dr Chibaya was appointed Rector of the Lesotho College of Education, where he provides strategic academic and administrative leadership. In this role, he is committed to strengthening governance, advancing research and innovation, enhancing quality teacher education, and positioning the institution as a key contributor to national and regional development.
Across scholarship, leadership, and public discourse, Dr Solomon Chibaya remains dedicated to advancing ethical, responsive, and globally engaged education systems capable of serving dynamic and challenging environments.