LESOTHO CATEGORY 2: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION A request for the following information was sent to National University of Lesotho (NUL): Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been its impact on: ¾ The daily or basic functions of NUL? ¾ The information dissemination? ¾ Have there been any reported cases amongst members of staff or their close contacts? ¾ To what extent could you say that NUL is responsive to the public’s access to information needs? ¾ Do you have a public response/feedback platform through which to assess the public’s views about you as an organisation? ¾ Do you have active cyberspace platforms – website, social media (such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), for people to access information about your services? If so, how effective are they? If not, why? ¾ Do you have a sense of, or idea as to whether, the public is satisfied by the service received from NUL? ¾ On a scale of 1-10, how efficient is NUL in serving the public? y n = 20 Yes No Partial X Additional information 1. Is there an official, who is designated to take and respond to information requests? 2. Did the organisation reply within 21 days? X They agreed to attend to request for information almost instantly. 3. Did the organisation respond to the request for information? X The officer promised to attend to the questions sent. 4. Does the organisation publish their procedures for handling information requests? X 5. Did the organisation provide all of the requested information? X 6. Did the organisation provide written reasons for the refusal of information? X Officer claimed to be alone in the office and was overloaded with work, although said he was willing to supply the information requested. 7. Did the organisation disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure, etc. 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? X Motive for information request was not questioned although the information did not come through. 9. Did the organisation acknowledge the request for information within 7 days? Director of Communications and Marketing X X 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? X None received. Total score: 8/20 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE 56