HIGHER EDUCATION MINISTER CLARIFIES TESAS & HELP PAYMENTS

THE Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology, Kinoka Feo and the department has released a statement in response to the recent posts circulating on social media regarding the de-registration of Divine Word University students, which have generated public concern.

According to DWU, the decision stems from a large number of students failing to meet the required 90% tuition fee payment, often due to delays or non-payment by parents or sponsors, however, some of the students on the list are also awaiting funds from government schemes such the TESAS and the HELP programs.

The institution stated that the government has yet to release this year’s TESAS funding, leaving the university financially strained and unable to maintain operations into the second semester. The institution clarified that this lack of funding has significantly contributed to the current crisis.

Minister Feo, however, in response stated that the de-registration process is not related to TESAS or HELP payments.

He said the Government has placed a high priority on the disbursement of TESAS payments for Semester 1 across all Higher Education Institutions and informed that over 90% of TESAS funds have been disbursed to the respective institutions, while disbursement of HELP funds to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is in progress.

Therefore, DWU students who are recipients of TESAS and HELP will not be affected.

The Minister encourages all students, parents, and HEIs to continue working in close partnership with his Ministry.