Orphan misses sponsorship deadline, hopeful of studying at UB

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 27, 2010 00:00

 

While Gift Vincent passed his Form Five with 44 points and received an admission letter from UB, to study for a Bachelor of Education Sciences degree, he did not submit his application for sponsorship on time because he was not well versed with the application procedure. He sat for his Botswana Government Certificate in secondary education last year at Mater Spei College.

'I have been admitted to the University of Botswana but I did not have information on what procedure to take after getting an admission letter. I thought that would be sorted out when I got to the university for registration,' he said with tears in his eyes.

He said that he met a friend who showed him the sponsorship letters and told him to go to the UB stadium to enquire about his status. 'I came here and they referred me to the Ministry of Education head offices just to state my case. The woman told me that the deadline for sponsorship applications has passed and I might not be helped. I am so worried,' he said. 'I was not informed and if I do not go to school this year I do not know what I will do,' he added.

The young man revealed that his aunt, who is a domestic worker in Francistown raised him, 'Education is the only option out of my situation,' he said answering his phone. 'It was my aunt. She is saying that if all fails I will try again next year,' he said trying to smile. 

In her statement on government sponsorship to tertiary institutions 2010/2011 in parliament yesterday, Minister of Education Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said she was aware that some students did not meet the deadline for submission of applications for sponsorship.

'I am therefore of the view that it is only fair for those who have submitted on time to be considered first,' she told parliament.