The Minister of Development Planning, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane announced on Monday that 300 postgraduate students will receive a bursary from the National Manpower Development Secretariat starting from the 2021/2022 academic year.
This, the Minister announced at the press conference held at NMDS premises on Monday in Maseru.
Mr. Mochoboroane said last year, he presented before the Cabinet a request to reform NMDS policy which states that students who completed their undergraduate certificates should pay a 50 percent of their bursary loan in order to qualify for scholarships to further their studies, saying the Cabinet approved his request which he said will allow students to qualify for NMDS sponsorship even if they have not paid the then required 50 percent.
He said NMDS is in the process of reforming its policies, however saying, while the NMDS is in the process of reforms, recent statistics stimulated the curiosity of students who are unable to further their studies and this has obliged the department to change some of the NMDS policies immediately in response to this need.
He noted that this has resulted in NMDS awarding 300 scholarships to postgraduate students for this academic year, saying 200 scholarships are for local students while 100 is for those studying in foreign countries.
The Minister said majority of students who receive scholarships are students currently studying for certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees compared to postgraduate’s students.
He said the statistical figures show that the government’s investment in education is not satisfactory hence his ministry decided to change the NMDS policies that do not help the country to move forward.
He noted that all students who have been awarded bursaries will begin to sign their contracts on Wednesday.
NMDS is a Department under the Ministry of Development Planning mandated through the National Manpower Development Council Act of 1978 to provide loan bursaries to deserving Basotho students wishing to pursue higher education and training. This is the first time NMDS Provide bursaries to 300 postgraduates with outstanding arrears of previous bursaries.
By Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe