Government has raised $1,2 million for Zimbabwean students on scholarships in Russia, Algeria and Egypt following reports that most of them were stranded and facing starvation due to lack of funding.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister, Godfrey Gandawa told NewsDay yesterday that the Ministry of Finance released the money for the students’ upkeep.
“Treasury managed to raise $1,2 million to cater for the welfare of the students. By now that money should have been delivered to the students. We also sought authority from the central bank to have the money given to the students in cash. So those who are alleging that we have not been given anything are lying,” he said.
In Algeria, the situation was reportedly dire, with some students allegedly violently confronting an embassy official in Algiers, demanding help to meet their daily needs, amid fears that some would turn to prostitution and crime to sustain a living.
Each student is supposed to receive $3 000 annually to cater for their personal needs, but government has not been meeting its obligation.
“Yes, when we spoke (last month) we had not yet paid them, but I know for sure that they have been paid their monies by now,” he said.
Gandawa said the situation in Algeria was dire due to the number of Zimbabwe students studying there, although even those in Russia, Egypt and Cuba were not spared.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He said the money released by Treasury was meant to cover the outstanding obligations, as well as part of this year’s payments.
“We owed the students last year’s allowances. So we have managed to clear the backlog as well as a quarter for 2016, while we mobilise more resources for the rest of the year,” Gandawa said
Through bilateral agreements with various countries, especially in North Africa and Asia, Zimbabwe sends students on government-to-government scholarships. The country was obliged to provide them with stipends on an annual basis for their extra requirements, which were not covered by the scholarships.
“Some are doing projects at the university that need money for equipment and also research, without money, we will not be able to work to our full capacities and also not finish the projects. Some have attachments that need money for transport to and from the residence,” one student said.
“Lack of stipends result in the degradation of all aspects of our lives considering also that we are in a foreign land, be it academically, socially, health wise and so on. It is a bad image on our country by sending students here to suffer and won’t be able to provide us with financial support.”
