Broke MoTE runs out of funds, needs P1.3bn
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday December 9, 2016 15:30
The request is contained in a P3.3 billion supplementary budget tabled by Finance and Development Planning minister, Kenneth Matambo, before legislators this week.
According to the budget, MoTE is seeking an additional P1.03 billion to address shortfalls under Tertiary Education Financing arising from increases in the student population.
The budget states that the shortfalls arose because the cut-off point had increased the number of students qualifying for sponsorship.
“With the cut-off point set at 36 points, the number of students qualifying for sponsorship now stands at 10,237 compared to last year’s figure of 10,165. “Altogether, the cost of new students sponsorship is an additional amount of P1.03 billion,” the budget reads.
In addition, MoTE is seeking additional funding of P155.2 million to re-sponsor 2,500 out of the 7,000 students that discontinued their studies due to unsatisfactory performances.
The decision to re-sponsor the students is in recognition of investment already made on the group.
“Among others, priority was also given to completing students, those who had dropped out of school due to ill-health as well as orphans and vulnerable children, rural area communities and students with special education needs,” reads the supplementary.
“There was consideration for proceeding students who had gone on self-sponsorship for the failed modules or for an academic year and were qualified to proceed to the next level as per their initial agreement.”
The ministry is also seeking P120 million for student allowances under the Tertiary and Vocational Education students. “These allowances were initially paid by the Human Resource Development Council, but it has since indicated that it has run out of funds, hence MoTE is required to foot the bill,” the budget reads.
Matambo has proposed securing the supplementary funding by cutting the budgets of 15 other ministries, raising P1.5 billion in the process. He plans to take the extra P156 million to the supplementaries required under the Development Budget.