BOTSWANA STUDENTS’ PARENTS: OUR KIDS ARE SUFFERING

MBABANE – Parents of students currently pursuing numerous courses at the Botswana University (UB) have written a letter to government, pleading for scholarship loans for their children.

The letter, which was seen by this reporter, was addressed to the chairman of the portfolio committee and the ministry of labour and social security which is responsible for the disbursement of scholarship loans for tertiary students, locally and internationally. The parent, who mentioned in the letter that she was under the instruction of other parents and guardians, pointed out that the students in question were not initially granted scholarships by government. “The courses that were taken by these students are among those which are not available in our local institutions and were listed as priority fields in the ministry of labour priority courses, 2022.

“It is important to mention that before the students apply in Botswana, the ministry of labour agreed that the university is one of the tertiary institutions where Eswatini Government scholarship is awarded to students who pursue various courses there. Further that the list of courses which are sponsored by government was issued, hence the students (our children) applied,” reads the letter.

Concerned

The parents stated that as parents of the students, they were faced with a predicament that the students are struggling in Botswana with food, tuition fees, toiletries and stationery and as parents they are failing to fend and pay for their children after they had paid the deposit. “As parents, we are concerned with the lives of our children in Botswana who have turned into beggars in a foreign land. This is more so because their parents (us) are failing to pay for their upkeep,” pleaded the parents.

Local students studying at the University of Botswana recently revealed to this publication that life has become miserable for them after government effected a cut in scholarships. It was established that over 50 students dropped out while another 50 opted to continue studying under the difficult circumstances. Last year, Eswatini government had provided transport for the students return home. Some of the students who remained behind revealed that they did not even have anything to eat and sometimes went to bed on an empty stomach. This all happened after government decided to reduce the number of scholarships from 4 100 to 2 550 in this academic year. The UB demands 25 per cent of the tuition fee at registration, which has made things harder for the learners.

It has been reliably leant that these are some of the students whose parents have taken a step by writing a letter to government pleading for a bailout.
It has also been established that most of these students are currently pursuing their studies in Special Education (Intellectual Disabilities, visual impairment and hearing, Bachelor of Science (BSC), Logistics and Supply Chain, Urban Development, Business and Finance, about the challenges they were facing after the decision by government.

The students disclosed that after refusing to abandon their dream, they remained behind and some said initially they were able to source the 25 per cent tuition, but were now unable to scout for more money to pay the balance. The students said most of their parents informed them that they were unable to raise the funds for their tuition. The students further disclosed that 15 of their colleagues had been evicted from the campus at the university and were now living as street kids, while some were squatters.  

Illegally

“Recently, a list of students was sent to us from the welfare offices saying that over 15 students are occupying rooms illegally. They were asked to move out and now everyone knows that they have not paid their fees. Some of us have not paid for accommodation and food is expensive as it costs 22 Pula which is E30 when converted to the currency of Eswatini. The cost of living in Botswana is so expensive and we just cannot afford as most of our parents are poor. I am a child of a single parent who is unemployed and she barely affords to pay for my tuition. I have been a beneficiary of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office from primary school up to O-Level,” said one of the students.

The students also revealed that they were now living like beggars as some of them had to scavenge for food and accommodation in that country. The situation, it was gathered, had turned out to be extremely bad for the students who are still trying to continue with their education such that some even went to the extent of exploring sex work as means for survival. The students appealed to the government of Eswatini to come to their rescue and save their careers. Dr Kerileng, popularly known as Dr Mpuang, who is one of the tutors of the tertiary students also confirmed that there were some who had been turned back as government was failing to pay for their tuition. “It is very painful to witness the distress these students are being subjected to and I implore the Eswatini government to address the concerns,” stated Dr Mpuang. Government is said to be spending over E150 000 per student who is enrolled in an international tertiary institution and E45 000 for those in local universities.

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