Deputy Minister Godfrey Gandawa
Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
BENEFICIARIES of the 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 yesterday that the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) had processed payments of 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 the 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 Mashonaland Central had 96 beneficiaries. Zimdef, which is paying STEM fees, said those who submit their forms for the programme should expect their confirmation in 48 hours.
President Robert Mugabe, who is championing the STEM revolution, says Zimbabwe must move with the rest of the world in industrialising its economy, which can only be achieved through the promotion of science and technological innovation at universities.
The Higher Education Ministry took the decision to promote science learning at A’ Level to increase the number of science students universities can receive.
Said Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo: “There is solid evidence that the fastest growing and highest earning careers in future will be in STEM fields. Available evidence supports the view that currently sustainable socio-economic transformation is driven by investing in STEM disciplines.
“Employees and employers will need to utilise STEM skills in industrialising the economy, addressing issues of unemployment and in empowering the young through promotion of science and innovation.”