Tertiary school sponsorship rules have been tightened, with the government warning that students whose funding is withdrawn or lapses will not progress without re-sponsorship approval
BONGANI MALUNGA
The government has signalled a strict approach to financing tertiary education, with the Minister of Higher Education, Prince Maele declaring that no re-sponsorship will be afforded to students whose government funding has expired or been withdrawn.
The minister announced, on Monday, that only first-time applicants will be granted sponsorship under the new government sponsorship cycle of the 2026/2027 financial year. The announcement is a major blow to over 5000 applicants who had hopes of automatic financial support to continue their programmes.
“The sad part is that re-sponsorship and progression categories will once again not be considered. We acknowledge the outstanding re-sponsorship applications of over 5000 clients who are eligible and require re-sponsorship. We need to give the new generation of students a fair chance to benefit as well,” the minister announced.
NEW POLICY DIRECTION
Under the policy direction, students whose sponsorship has lapsed because they have exceeded the normal duration of their studies, repeated courses or failed to satisfy the academic requirements for continued funding will not be allowed to progress under government sponsorship unless they qualify for re-sponsorship.
For years, government sponsorship has enabled thousands of Batswana to pursue tertiary education at local and international institutions. However, the increasing cost of higher education, coupled with extended study periods and repeated requests for additional funding, has placed growing pressure on the sponsorship programme.
Maele emphasised that due to strict fiscal conditions public funding will not be an indefinite entitlement but an investment tied to satisfactory academic performance and timely completion of studies.
SELF-FUNDING
Students who lose their sponsorship may have to fund the remainder of their studies privately unless they successfully apply for re-sponsorship in line with government requirements.
The government is set to sponsor 12 250 students in the 2026/2027 financial year. The minister also announced that the threshold for government sponsorship remains at 36 points and above for placement at tertiary institutions.