adminnational budget, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge said yesterday.
Responding to a question from Bulawayo Central House of Assembly Member Dorcas Sibanda (MDC-T) on government’s policy with regards to grants and loans, Minister
Mudenge said his ministry had not received funds for the programmes.
He said Treasury had only provided US$15 million to amortise last year’s outstanding debt of about US$13,5 million.
He said only US$8 million out of the allocated US$15 million had been disbursed.
“To continue with the Cadetship Programme my Ministry requires US$37 147 400 for 2011 in addition to the outstanding US$5 416 280 for 2010, bringing the total debt to US$42 563 680,” Minister Mudenge said.
“I must point out that only US$7 million of the vote, US$15 million still remains undisbursed by the Ministry of Finance.
“When that US$7 million is disbursed then a debt of US$35 563 680 will still be owing to the colleges and universities.
“Put simply, there is no money for the loans and grants as announced by the Minister of Finance when he presented his budget last year and approved by this House.
“In other contexts this is described as playing a game of smoke and mirrors.”
Minister Mudenge said to have fully fledged loans and grants scheme an amount of not less than US$158 million was required.
“If the Ministry of Finance can avail my ministry with this amount of money, we would gladly implement the loans and grants scheme,” said Minister Mudenge.
“Sadly, no money exists.
“Indeed no money to support students this year has been provided,” he said.
He said about 50 000 students had applied for the cadetship programme this year.
“It is only by the grace of God and the resourcefulness of the colleges and universities administrators and my ministry’s verbal assurance that money will somehow be
found for the students to be allowed to carry on with their studies.
Minister Mudenge said his ministry had always provided grants and loans to students prior to 2007 when the Government ceased the programmes because of fiscas constraints.
Online Reporter