Mbabane– Government has set October 31, 2026 as the date by which student assistance and book allowances will be disbursed to first-year students studying at local tertiary institutions under the Pre-Service Tertiary Education and Training (PTET) Scholarship Programme.
The announcement by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security comes after students at William Pitcher College staged a protest over outstanding allowances, blocking access to the institution and the road passing in front of the college.
The Ministry said on October 6, 2026 that first-year students should receive their allowances by October 31, provided they are fully registered and their respective tertiary institutions have prepared and submitted invoices to the Ministry.
The announcement further stated that payment for ongoing students had already commenced at the end of September for institutions that had submitted invoices.
According to Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, the processing of allowances is only facilitated for students who are fully registered and once invoices have been received from their tertiary institutions.
The Ministry said some institutions had not yet completed their registration processes, while others had only recently concluded registration. It added that some institutions submitted invoices as recently as Friday, October 2, 2026, while others were still yet to submit them.
“Payment of the assistance allowances may only be expedited at the earliest by the 31st October 2026,” the Ministry stated, adding that this was dependent on students attaining full registration and tertiary institutions preparing and submitting invoices on time.
The announcement follows the William Pitcher College protest, during which furniture was reportedly used to barricade entrances and the road, while trash was set alight. Police were deployed and subsequently restored access to the institution and the affected road.
Student allowance delays have previously drawn the attention of legislators, with Members of Parliament and senators raising concerns about delays in the payment of allowances and tuition fees.
During Public Accounts Committee proceedings, legislators sought clarification from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on persistent delays affecting sponsored students. Legislators have also raised the issue during regional outreach engagements, with calls for allowances to be paid on time to avoid disruptions at tertiary institutions.
The Ministry said creating an enabling environment for students to have a positive learning experience requires cooperation between government, tertiary institutions, student bodies and parents.
Mndawe said the Ministry remained committed to ensuring that students receive the support necessary for their learning journey.
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