|
Govt increases allowances for university students
2008-04-12 10:34:15
By Lydia Shekighenda, Dodoma
The government has reviewed students` allowances for food, accommodation and practical studies in the country`s higher learning institutions, the National Assembly was told yesterday.
Education and Vocational Training deputy minister Gaudentia Kabaka said this in the House when responding to a supplementary question by Hasnain Dewji (Kilwa South, CCM).
Dewji had wanted to know why the government was not making a review of food and accommodation allowances for students in higher learning institutions, taking into account rising food prices and other costs.
Kabaka said the government had already made changes in some areas and among them was allowance for field practice, which was increased from 6,000/- to 10,000/- per day.
The new rates would become operational in the coming fiscal year.
She said her ministry was making a review of allowances in other areas and it would make changes according to the budget.
In the basic question, Dewji had wanted to know whether students were involved in the process of reviewing food and accommodation allowances, considering the fact that they were key beneficiaries.
Kabaka said her ministry involved as much as possible various stakeholders in the process to realise the real cost for accommodation and food for students in higher learning institutions.
``Students participated in the research process were from the University of Dar es Salaam, Institute for Social Work, College of Business Education and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology,`` she said.
She further said for the fiscal year 2005/06 the food and accommodation allowance was 2500/-, but it was raised by the government to 3,500/- per day in the 2006/07 fiscal year.
In response to increasing food prices and rental charges for accommodation, the government had increased the daily allowance for students to 5,000/- in the 2007/08 fiscal year.
|
