By Sikhulile Dlamini
MBABANE – Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo has emphasised the need for government to fast track the allocation of students’ scholarship.
Nxumalo made this statement yesterday (Monday, June 17, 2024) during the presentation of the task team assigned by the minister to the University Senate. The minister said this in response to a concern raise by UNESWA Students Representative Council (SRC) President Bongumenzi Dlamini.
Dlamini mentioned during the meeting that as students, they wished for Govenrment to fast track the process of disbursing scholarships and other allowances to students, so that the problems they faced at the institution could be minimised. Dlamini submitted that when they did not get their scholarships in time, disturbances would occur, as students would engage in class boycotts, something that could disturb the learning process.
He pleaded with the 12-member task team appointed by Minister Nxumalo to also consider their problem when addressing the UNESWA crisis. The minister understood the submissions made by Dlamini and promised that he would try to work with Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi and see if they could come up with a plan to release the scholarships in time. He promised that by August this year, they would
“We acknowledge the mistake from our side as Government in causing the confusion among students when it comes to scholarships and we need to do better. Also, as politicians and Members of Parliament (MPs), we need to ensure the timely distribution of funds to students,” Nxumalo said.
