23 Jul 2017

Assistant minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao says government sponsors students  who attain 35 points or below in the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) for further studies.

Mr Molao said on July 20 that some students who attained 35 points or below between 2014 and 2016 were absorbed for further studies to pursue technical subjects through public technical colleges and vocational institutions.

Speaking in Parliament, he said a total of 87 912 students attained 35 points or below in the past three years.

“Some of them enroll through the Botswana College of Open and Distance Learning to upgrade their results,” he further said.

He said 32.3 per cent of BGCSE completers were given funding for further education in 2013, while 22.9 per cent were funded in 2014. 

He added that 22.7 per cent were funded in 2015.

“I wish to state that the cut-off point for tertiary education is purely a budgetary issue. 

If government had sufficient funds, the cut-off point could be as low as 30 points,” Mr Molao said.

The assistant minister however said a special dispensation is extended to orphans and vulnerable children, special education students and RADS who are sponsored at a minimum of 31 points.

He said his ministry was exploring different policy options, which includeed cost sharing and increased private sector funding for skill development.

Mr Molao said a policy shift is explored along the lines of phasing out the current grant-loan scheme, awarding of sponsorship on the basis of programmes aligned to the needs of the economy, the introduction of a requirement that all beneficiaries should make some repayment when they get employment, and the introduction of a government guaranteed loan to cater for individuals seeking to pursue programmes that do not attract government scholarship.

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the assistant minister to state programmes in place to cater for students who attained 35 points or below in BGCSE. ENDS