Forty lucky learners to further education

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Pretoria - Forty learners from disadvantaged backgrounds in Polokwane have been chosen to further their education at tertiary level, thanks to bursaries from the municipality.

The students, who benefited from the R1-million fund, will follow different disciplines such as medicine, electrical engineering, financial management, law and other studies in FET colleges and universities in and outside the province.

“The bursary will cater for registration and tuition fees for the 2014 academic year and is subject for renewal in the next academic year pending acceptable academic performance by the student. The municipality will enter into a contract based on academic performance with the students,” the municipality said in a statement.

Polokwane municipality prioritises further education and skills development, in pursuit of the Smart City vision.

“It is on this note that the Executive Mayor  [Freddy Greaver ] went on a drive to raise funds following a number of learners, who approached his office for financial assistance to pursue tertiary education. Bursaries were advertised in the local media and around 400 applications were received from the learners.”

According to the municipality, the bursaries will assist in closing the skills gap by providing students with the required tertiary qualifications.

The funds being utilised for the bursaries were not from the municipal budget but raised through engagements with stakeholders and sporting activities.

During the 2013 academic year, 56 students received the much needed assistance from the fund. About R920 000 was awarded by the mayor. – SAnews.gov.za