14 Aug 2022

Ministry of Education and Skills Development has secured P100 million for re-sponsorship of tertiary students.

Minister Dr Douglas Letsholathebe told a media briefing session that the amount was not even enough to cater for all students who wanted re-sponsorship.

As such, he said the amount would not be able to cover learners who wanted progression sponsorship and pickup sponsorship, the latter being learners who were self-sponsored and now wanted the government to take over.

Dr Letsholathebe said some of the students awaiting re-sponsorship were on the verge of completing their studies and others were outgrowing the sponsorship eligibility age.

Nonetheless, he said a criteria would be set to select students for re-sponsorship as the available amount was not adequate.

The minister explained that to sponsor all students awaiting re-sponsorship the ministry  would need twice the allocated amount.

Furthermore, he stated that following the launch of the new sponsorship for the year 2022/23, the ministry started sourcing funds for both re-sponsorship and progression hence the P100 million was a key milestone in human resource development.

Dr Letsholathebe said the funds followed another achievement in which the government availed a sum of P90.5 million towards increasing the students living allowance for locally and externally placed students.

He said the allowance increase was 18.5 per cent, although the students had submitted a request of 35 per cent increase.

Dr Letsholathebe further said the ministry was exploring ways to fund students who are awaiting the pickup sponsorship.

He said pickup sponsorship played a significant role in reducing the burden of sponsorship from the government.

Minister Letsholathebe explained that some of the students applying for pickup sponsorship were self-sponsored because they did not qualify for the government sponsorship, but that did not mean that they were failures and could not be admitted to tertiary schools.

Further, Dr Letsholathebe said government had continued its efforts of developing human capital through awarding the sponsorship and called on beneficiaries to make full use of the opportunity.

All sponsored students were expected to complete their studies within the prescribed period of study, he said.

Education and skills development assistant minister, Mr Aubrey Lesaso said students funding was challenged by dwindling of government funds avenues.

He therefore emphasised  the need for learners to make the best use of the opportunity to improve their lives and that of their families. Ends