State universities allocated $904 900 in 2014 - Minister

Government last year allocated a mere $904 900 to all state universities to fund students under the controversial cadetship programme, a cabinet minister has said.

The Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Godfrey  Gandawa said government is struggling to fund the programme as it also owes $63 million.

"In 2014, my Ministry was allocated US$8 000 000 and this was reduced to US$3 500 000 in the amended Estimates of expenditure. A total amount of US$1600 000 was released for the Cadetship Scheme in 2014. The Government owes institutions of higher learning in excess of US$ 63 million," Gandawa said.

According to the minister his ministry was allocated $1 600 000 and of the amount all state universities got $904 900 which they shared.

The balance of $695 100 was  allocated to polytechnics  which they collectively got $248 520 and teachers' colleges  got $446 580.

Gandawa said University of Zimbabwe was allocated $300 000, Lupane State University ( $ 51 300), National University of Science and Technology ($190 000), Midlands State University ($130 000), Great Zimbabwe University ($70 000), Chinhoyi University of Technology ($61 200) and Bindura University of Science Education got  just $41 200.