The History of Soofia International School
Soofia International School traces its roots back to the early 20th century when the
Muslim community of Lesotho established the first mosque in Butha-Buthe, named
after the revered St. Soofie. In the late 1950s, an English Medium School, also
named St. Soofie, was founded on the same grounds. Sadly, a fire in 1971 destroyed
both the mosque and school.
Undeterred, the Muslim community persevered, and in 1988 successfully applied for
a larger site for a new school. The land was granted, and initial construction was
completed in January 1990. Classes for Standards One through Five commenced in
February with an initial enrollment of 70 students.
The school, officially registered as Soofia English Medium School (registration
number 161003), has been presenting Basotho children for primary school leaving
examinations since 1992, consistently achieving a high pass rate.
In 1998, a preschool section was added to provide a solid educational foundation for
younger children. Soofia quickly gained recognition as one of the top primary schools
in the country.
Due to growing demand, Soofia expanded in 2005 to include the secondary local
curriculum (Junior Certificate) and then in 2008, introduced the high school
curriculum (COSC).
In 2014, Soofia made a significant leap by becoming affiliated with the Cambridge
Assessment International Education (CAIE) and the first school in Lesotho to offer
both the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and
Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level (AS/A Level) programs. These qualifications
open doors for students to pursue higher education both within Lesotho and abroad.
Today, the school has evolved into Soofia International School, maintaining its
namesake in honour of St. Soofie. With its independent and international status,
Soofia International School continues to provide a world-class education, fostering a
diverse and inclusive learning learning environment that prepares students for success in a globalized world.