10 Apr 2014

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Patrick Masimolole has informed Parliament that the percentage of students sponsored in the financial year 2011/12 was higher than the usual number due to several factors.

Responding to a question from MP for Gaborone Central, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, Mr Masimolole said one of the factors was that there were students who were left from 2010/11 placement because they had not met the deadline, but were placed in 2011/12.

The other factor was that cut-off points were reduced from 39 to 36 and this allowed more new students and those from previous years to apply and be sponsored.

The minister explained that a total of 1 559 students who were orphans and vulnerable children as well as rural area dwellers were sponsored under the affirmative action programme; and this were significantly higher than previous years.

He said the cut-off point, which was lowered from 36 to 34 allowed for more students, including those who were upgrading to be sponsored. He said there were also a significant number of transfers from South Africa when government decided to place students in local institutions.

Mr Saleshando had asked the minister to state the total percentage of form five students who were able to secure sponsorship for tertiary education in each of the past five financial years. Ends