News / Education
Presidential Scholarship Programme beneficiaries urged to work hard
10 Mar 2012 at 21:52hrs | Views
The director of the Presidential Scholarship Programme, Christopher Mushohwe, has urged beneficiaries of the programme to work hard for the socio-economic development of the country.
Speaking at the send-off of 55 students who will pursue studies at various South African universities yesterday, Mushohwe said they should not tarnish the image of the President by engaging in politics.
"President Mugabe is passionate about this programme and that is why it has remained in his office," he said.
"We have students we are sending out to pursue studies in fields such as medicine, chartered accounting, mining engineering, actuarial sciences and law, among other studies.
"People might not understand what is happening now, but when our children come back 10 to 15 years later, when our economy has improved, you will see the impact of the programme.
"We do not want children who go to South Africa to tarnish the image of the President, we want people who work hard for the betterment of their lives, families, community and the nation at large."
Mushohwe said the programme faced budgetary constraints after it was allocated US$3 million by Treasury against the required US$54 million.
He said this greatly reduced the number of beneficiaries.
"We have also warned these students that they should not be involved in politics of any kind. There are Rhodesian sympathisers who have wrong impressions on Zimbabwe and our students are not allowed to be involved in opposition politics.
"If they do, we will not hesitate to dismiss them. Last year, we expelled 40 students who had misbehaved and we are saying the good image that has been set should not be tarnished by one student."
He added that students who failed a single course or fell pregnant would also be expelled. The Presidential Scholarship Programme seeks to provide underprivileged, but bright, students the opportunity to pursue higher learning.
Graduates are bonded for three years.
Speaking at the send-off of 55 students who will pursue studies at various South African universities yesterday, Mushohwe said they should not tarnish the image of the President by engaging in politics.
"President Mugabe is passionate about this programme and that is why it has remained in his office," he said.
"We have students we are sending out to pursue studies in fields such as medicine, chartered accounting, mining engineering, actuarial sciences and law, among other studies.
"People might not understand what is happening now, but when our children come back 10 to 15 years later, when our economy has improved, you will see the impact of the programme.
"We do not want children who go to South Africa to tarnish the image of the President, we want people who work hard for the betterment of their lives, families, community and the nation at large."
Mushohwe said the programme faced budgetary constraints after it was allocated US$3 million by Treasury against the required US$54 million.
He said this greatly reduced the number of beneficiaries.
"We have also warned these students that they should not be involved in politics of any kind. There are Rhodesian sympathisers who have wrong impressions on Zimbabwe and our students are not allowed to be involved in opposition politics.
"If they do, we will not hesitate to dismiss them. Last year, we expelled 40 students who had misbehaved and we are saying the good image that has been set should not be tarnished by one student."
He added that students who failed a single course or fell pregnant would also be expelled. The Presidential Scholarship Programme seeks to provide underprivileged, but bright, students the opportunity to pursue higher learning.
Graduates are bonded for three years.
Source - SM
