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Godfrey Gandawa

Bulawayo Bureau
BENEFICIARIES of Government’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) A-Level fees sponsorship scheme have doubled from last week’s figures, with registration still on.

The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development said on Wednesday the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) had processed payments for 1 439 pupils as of Tuesday.

Last Thursday, 723 pupils had benefited from the initiative aimed at encouraging uptake of science subjects at A-Level.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Godfrey Gandawa said they were still receiving applications.

“It’s important for parents and students that want to benefit from the initiative to register in schools of their choice and take invoices to Zimdef science and technology officers in the provinces, so that we expeditiously process their payments,” the deputy minister said.

As of March 1, we had 1 439 payments processed and more are being processed.

Zimdef said it had set aside $4 million for the scheme. With boarding fees and levies averaging $500 at Government and Mission schools, Zimdef has so far shelled out at least $719 500.

Gandawa urged parents and pupils to avoid the last minute rush and take the opportunity to register.

Lower Sixth form classes began lessons last week in most schools.

The Ministry last month announced that Government would pay full tuition, boarding fees and levies for all pupils who register for science subjects at public and mission schools at A-Level this year. Students registering for a combination of Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology qualify.

Midlands tops the STEM beneficiaries list with 247 pupils followed by Manicaland with 223. Mashonaland West had the least beneficiaries with 34 pupils.

Bulawayo is on third position with 216, Matabeleland North 115 and Matabeleland South 48. Harare had 194 beneficiaries, Mashonaland East 183, Masvingo 83 and lastly Mashonaland Central with 96 beneficiaries.

Zimdef, which is paying STEM fees, said those who submit their forms for the programme should expect their confirmation in 48 hours.