By Khulile Thwala
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has appealed to students to exercise patience and calm as the ministry reiterates its commitment to ensuring that students’ welfare is prioritised.
In a statement, Principal Secretary in the ministry, Makhosini Mndawe, reaffirmed that student allowances for the academic year 2022/23 began in February 2023 for universities and colleges whose academic year commenced in October 2022.
For those tertiary institutions whose academic year began in February 2023, student allowances were paid on the first week of May 2023.
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Worth noting is that there have been recent reports of students distressed over the non-payment of student allowances, with circulating local media reports suggesting that one student had since committed suicide over the matter.
The PS further stated that for students whose academic year started in April 2023, student allowances are yet to be paid. Mndawe was clear in his statement that some students were yet to be paid pending the submission of invoices by tertiary institutions to the Ministry of Labour.
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He said the payment of allowances would create an enabling environment for students to learn, however, this could not be achieved without the cooperation of all stakeholders, inclusive of tertiary institutions.
Meanwhile, a total of 383 students from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) are yet to be paid following the university submitting its invoices on April 27 and May 3, 2023, for these students.
This number is reflective of the number of study loans that were added following Cabinet approval to add 1 000 study loan awards allocated for the financial year 2022/23.
