BuaNews
(Tshwane)
Kagiso Metswamere
7 October 2008
Mafikeng — An amount of R10.5 million is to be set aside by the North West Provincial Government to award students wishing to study courses that will eventually help to address scarce skills in the province.
Over a hundred bursaries will be allocated to the students in the next financial year.
Matriculants and current students are advised to send their applications on or before 14 November this year.
In a statement on Tuesday, North West Premier Edna Molewa said these bursaries would be awarded to students to pursue studies in accordance with their identified needs.
"It is imperative that we make sure that skills development receives high priority and reaches all corners of the province.
"It is key to focus on addressing the critical and scarce skills needs in the province to build the capacity of the workforce and ensure the employability of graduates," said Premier Molewa.
She said the granting of bursaries will be done within the context of the Government's Human Resource Development Strategy and Provincial Growth & Development Strategy, which outlines skills needs that are scarce within the province.
Ms Molewa emphasised that the bursaries will benefit financially needy and academically deserving students residing in the province and encouraged people with disabilities and those from previously disadvantaged communities to make sure that they applied.
It is important for people with disabilities to realise their right to a "normal and better life as rightful members of our communities and society at large".
The Office of the Premier has been charged with the responsibility of administering the provincial bursary scheme as the leader of the Skills Development and Training Working Group.
The province has awarded 110 bursaries in the past financial year for full- time students.
Application forms are available to students at Labour Centres, Municipality Offices, Constituency Offices, Traditional Authorities, some places of learning and Formal Disability Structures.
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