admin
Officially opening the National Manpower Advisory Council (Namaco) conference in Bulawayo on Thursday, Minister Mudenge said the ministry would continue to support students from disadvantaged families through the scheme.
He said underprivileged students were the majority in tertiary education and so far no application has been turned down from all the applications submitted to his ministry.
“However, we are disheartened because the Ministry of Finance has not always released the money timeously or sufficient amounts approved in the budget,” said Minister Mudenge.
“We have over 31 000 students who have joined the cadetship scheme and funds released so far cover only 25 percent of the students. This obviously impacts negatively on the operations of the institutions.”
Last week, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said the Government would reintroduce the student grant loan scheme at tertiary institutions as part of a grand plan to restore the dignity of university students.
However, Minister Mudenge said there were slim chances for the Government to reintroduce the student grant loan soon.
“With the current economic situation when the economy is still on the recovery path, the best we can do is to support students through this cadetship scheme,” he said.
Online Reporter