16 Apr 2025

Living allowances for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) students, will be increased from the longstanding P300 to P1 900 effective August.

President Advocate Duma Boko said this when addressing a kgotla meeting in Lerala yesterday. President Boko highlighted the significant disparity between the financial support provided to TVET students and that offered to their peers in traditional tertiary education.

He pointed out that the current funding structure often demotivated potential learners from pursuing valuable skill based jobs, perpetuating the stigma that technical education was only for those who struggled academically, hence the need for a re-evaluation.

“The disparity has created a negative narrative about technical education, as a last resort for those who do not thrive academically. This perception is not only a misinformation but also counterproductive to the growth of handy skilled expertise, as it discourages youth from acquiring essential skills in fields that are in demand,” he said.

Furthermore, the President said handy skill courses, which included plumbing, bricklaying, electrical work and automotive repairs, amongst others, were crucial for the country’s infrastructure and innovative capabilities, adding that an increase in living allowance would instil pride in hands-on skills as a means for personal and professional success.

President Boko also encouraged the continuous need for a holistic educational approach that goes beyond traditional metrics of academic success, fostering creativity and practical skills. He said the world was increasingly defined by values of diverse skills and the intelligence of the multifaceted, therefore diverse skills that include creativity and other non-academic excellence were relevant to shape the desired future.

President Boko acknowledged concerns raised by Kgosi Molebatsi Moroka III, regarding the escalating crime in the village. He said a decision was made to construct a police station that would house seven police officers, which was currently at 35 per cent completion and it was expected to be handed over next year January.

President Boko further said more accommodation structures would be added to accommodate two more police officers. Kgosi Moroka III had also pleaded with the government to protect Bogosi from political interference, saying it crippled the essence of Bogosi, and made it difficult for Dikgosi to fulfill their duties of instilling peace, harmony and safeguarding traditions amongst others. He further urged the need to elevate the status of Bogosi to make it relevant and match the current demands. ENDS