Govt to sponsor all new UB students

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

 

She explained that the decision was taken after she met with UB representatives to reconcile the figures of students who have submitted applications for sponsorship.

She stated that as at July 9, 2010, there were 3,519 applications for sponsorship received by the ministry against the targeted 3,462, resulting in an excess of 59. 'I am 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 submitted on time to be considered first,' she said adding that the ministry will continue to issue sponsorship letters during the week.

Venson-Moitoi explained that the ministry estimated that it would sponsor 11,886 students, at both public and private institutions this academic year.

She said the government gave UB guidelines on the number of new students to be admitted to various programmes, looking at priority areas of business, engineering and technology, health sciences, fine arts, law and social work. The Education Minister explained that the numbers in each programme were given to UB as a guide in admitting students wishing to seek government sponsorship.

However, the UB did not respect the quota and exceeded the stated figures. 'It must be noted that the ministry does not regulate on the numbers to be admitted by UB since they also admit international, regional and privately sponsored students.

What has happened consequently is that based on previous experiences, students naturally came for sponsorship even though their numbers are in most cases in excess of the agreed sponsorship quota,' Venson-Moitoi said explained.