Water For Justice

GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO NUL DRIES UP

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will soon withdraw its funding to the National University of Lesotho (NUL), says the Principal Secretary, Mr. Mosito Khethisa.

In an interview, Mr. Khethisa said the Ministry of Finance is on the verge to withdraw subvention funds to NUL with effect from next year's financial budget.
Mr. Khethisa stated that the motive behind the withdrawal that include among others, salaries of the NUL staff, overheads and other expenses is due to failure of NUL to account for its financial records.

Mr. Khethisa said, "there are no audits made at the end of every financial year, and therefore there is a possibility of misuse of funds."
He said the ministry's intention is to charge the NUL students correct fees as per other Tertiary Institutions such as Limkokwing University of Technology (LUT), while re-paying their loans granted by the government in an effort to help NUL produce quality and marketable candidates.
He indicated that NUL is currently producing most graduands who fail to obtain jobs with their qualifications upon completion, since it offers courses that are not marketable.

Mr. Khethisa said the university is aware of the decision since he is a member of the NUL council, adding that the deliberation was made during their meetings with the council.
The Principal Secretary highlighted some of the implications as automatic closure of other programmes following the decision, hence the need for NUL and its staff members to strive for success.
He said that though the government is to benefit because there will be huge savings, many workers of the university will lose their jobs because the ones on board are unable to meet the requirements expected.
Meanwhile, NUL Registrar, Mrs. 'Masefinyela Mphuthing said the university is not aware of the decision taken by the government to withdraw its subventions to NUL.
The Ministry of Finance's core business is the management, supervision and control of fiscal and financial affairs of government including custody, maintenance and care of government assets.