- Eyes Broader Cuts Amid Oversupply
The Ministry of Higher Education has suspended sponsorship for certain programmes, particularly aviation-related courses such as commercial pilot licences, and is considering expanding the list of suspended programmes in the future.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 sponsorship cycle last Wednesday, Minister of Higher Education Prince Maele explained that aviation programmes would no longer receive funding due to an oversupply of graduates.
Maele further noted that other fields, including Finance, Business, and Management, are also oversubscribed. These may face similar funding restrictions going forward.
“Students are encouraged to explore other programmes,” Maele said.
“Globally, there are future skills and future jobs — Let me take this opportunity to encourage our applicants to inform themselves on future skills and future jobs so that they make informed choices on their programmes of study.”
He explained that this will enable students to be productive in both the local and the world economy upon completion of their studies, urging applicants to consider programmes such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
He also encouraged the Education and Training Providers (ETPs) to respond accordingly regarding future jobs, which will particularly produce entrepreneurs.
“The ETPs are encouraged to proactively develop programmes that take cognisance of these new trends of future jobs and skills to benefit our youth,” he said.
“Further, our graduates should be empowered for self-employment and for production. Entrepreneurship and job creation are at the centre of progressive world economies in an increasingly globalised world.”
During the current sponsorship cycle, a total of 12,034 new students, comprising fresh applicants and upgrades in BGCSE, as well as IGSCE, will be awarded sponsorship.
In the previous year, the Ministry sponsored a total of 10,180.
Last year, 36,911 students sat for the exams, and out of this number, those who achieved 35 to 48 points to be sponsored are 7,842.
While those who got between 31 to 35 points are 5,240, only 1,500 will be considered for the government sponsorship.
This means that over 25,000 students achieved less than 30 points.
“Some of them will go to TVETs, but the capacity of local TVETs is only 8,000,” Maele said.
Even then, the ministry of looking to sponsor just around 1500 students for TVETs this financial year.
Currently, there are 40,890 students sponsored by the government across the 54 local ETPs.
With a budget of P3.1 billion for student placement this year, the government is also reviewing the top achievers’ sponsorship to completely stop it. This programme was established to award scholarships to students who achieved higher grades at top international universities.
According to Maele, this programme has become expensive, and it has become clear that more students can be accommodated with the sponsorship of one student.
“It has become more expensive, and we might be admitting the last group of this programme this year,” he said.
“Those already admitted will be allowed to complete their studies.”
