…over outstanding fees
Mathatisi Sebusi
LEROTHOLI Polytechnic is reportedly withholding certificates of National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS)-sponsored students who graduated this year due to outstanding tuition fees.
The issue surfaced in the Senate this week when the Principal Chief of Leribe and Senator, Joel Motšoene, questioned the Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, about the matter.
Chief Motšoene asked whether the minister was aware that some NMDS-sponsored students who studied at Lerotholi Polytechnic between 2023 and 2024 were unable to graduate, while others who did graduate were yet to receive their certificates. He said the situation arose because the institution increased tuition fees without informing NMDS in time, resulting in unpaid fee balances.
“If so, can the minister explain what measures are being taken to address this situation so that the affected students can graduate without further delay Also, what mechanisms has the ministry put in place to ensure that, in future, tuition fee adjustments by institutions are communicated to NMDS and other relevant stakeholders in time, so that students are not disadvantaged ” Chief Motšoene asked.
He further expressed concern that withholding certificates from graduates prevents them from applying for jobs, thereby worsening Lesotho’s already high unemployment rate.
“Are you aware that this will become a challenge when these students want to apply for jobs The country is already struggling with high unemployment, and not giving these students their certificates worsens the situation,” he said.
In response, Prof Rapapa confirmed that some students had not received their certificates due to unpaid tuition fees.
He said reports from Lerotholi Polytechnic management indicated that students who completed their studies last year had graduated and received their certificates.
“The challenge is with students who completed their studies this year. Some have graduated, but the school is withholding their certificates due to unpaid tuition fees. The majority of these students are sponsored by NMDS,” Prof Rapapa explained.
He added that the ministry intends to engage the institution’s management to negotiate the release of the students’ certificates while the matter between the school and NMDS is being resolved.
According to Prof Rapapa, Lerotholi Polytechnic adjusted its tuition fees without notifying either NMDS or the Ministry of Education and Training.
“The school’s board has the authority to adjust fees as it sees fit, and they are taking advantage of that. This is unfortunate because the government provides the institution with a subvention,” he said.
“To prevent such situations in the future, the ministry has resolved to amend the Higher Education Act to include a requirement that any tuition fee adjustments by institutions receiving government subvention, or those with government-sponsored students, must be authorized by the Minister of Education and Training,” he added.
Efforts to obtain comment from Lerotholi Polytechnic were unsuccessful. The institution’s spokesperson, Kofa Matšaba, requested that questions be sent in writing and said he had forwarded them to the registrar. However, no response had been received at the time of publication.
Mr Matšaba also said management was engaged in back-to-back meetings in preparation for the inauguration of the institution’s chancellor, His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi.