Govt to re-introduce students grants
THE Government is working on re-introducing grants for students at tertiary instiutions, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.
Adddressing graduates and guests at the 44th Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College graduation ceremony in Gwanda, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo said the grants will only be introduced after students had demonstrated commitment to funding their education through the recently introduced students loans. The loan facility is being administered by six financial institutions; ZB Bank, CBZ Bank, POSB, Get Bucks, EduLoan and NMB Bank.
“We have been facing pressure from our Youth League in the ruling party to re-introduce the Government grants to students. We’re working on that, but we started with a students’ loan scheme to see who are committed to funding their education in this pay as you learn scheme. We want to see students who are committed in taking up this flexible scheme,” said Prof Moyo.
He said the loan scheme will also come as good news to graduates whose transcripts were held by tertiary institutions for non-payment of fees as they also qualified.
“As you are graduating here you will also want to hear that you also qualify for this scheme if you decide to come back here for Higher National Diplomas or take up a Degree programme in Zimbabwe. It’s also good news to those whose results are being withheld by colleges and universities for non-payment of fees. They also qualify to apply for these loans and have their transcripts released,” he said.
Prof Moyo urged Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College to venture into income generating projects such as mining and livestock rearing to sustain its operations.
“As a college you should also have a gold mine. This town is a mining town and it’s important for you to be involved in mining. I have also heard here that your dream to have a farm is still elusive. My Ministry is not involved in that, but you have the Provincial Minister Honourable Abednego Ncube here, he will help you in that regard. It’s my hope that when we come back for the next graduation you will be talking of a vibrant cattle rearing project,” said Prof Moyo.
The graduation ceremony saw a combined 578 students graduating in both teaching and technical faculties. — @ richardmuponde.