Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 21.41%. In 2009, the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 255.48%. There is no data for the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.
Tuition-free status
There are no provisions for tuition-free status in the Tertiary Education Act of 1999. Students are entitled to apply to the Ministry for sponsorships for tuition fees, which may be grants or loans. In practice, according to the 2025 Report on Higher Education Statistics, in 2023, 72% of students received some form of Government Sponsorship.
Governance
As of November 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education is responsible for higher education in Botswana. It was previously known as the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology. The department responsible for finance is the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF). According to the 1999 Tertiary Education Act, private universities are permitted, subject to the oversight of the Ministry. The Ministry is also responsible for TVET education and “Brigades”, local community education colleges.
In the 2024 budget, oversight of tuition fee sponsorship by the DTEF was transferred to the Ministry of Finance. This remained the case in the 2025 budget.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No evidence was found of funding being transferred to subnational governments for higher education.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private institutions are permitted according to the 1999 Tertiary Education Act, and government-sponsored students are permitted to attend. No link was found to the absence of public university provision.
Allocation and equity
Government funding for higher education is administered by the Ministry of Higher Education. Funding is allocated to the ministry, with most of it directed towards the operational costs of relevant State-Owned Enterprises, such as universities and qualifications authorities. Universities receive funding directly for tuition and accommodation for sponsored students.
The government mandates that three protected groups receive special treatment: OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children), RAC (remote area children) and SEN (special educational needs), though no evidence was found of specific financing being given directly to the institutions for this purpose. In the November 2025 speech to parliament announcing the allocation of Higher Education Funds, no mention was made of equity in financing.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Admissions to the Tertiary Education sponsorship scheme are decided by a points-based system dependent on grades at Secondary Education. Ordinary students need 36 points; however, those categorised as Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), Rural Area Children (RAC) or Special Educational Needs (SEN), have a reduced entry requirement of 31 points.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
According to the Ministry, students below the age of 35 can apply directly to the government for “sponsorship” of their studies. These sponsorships are awarded to “New Students” who commence their studies from secondary education, “Progression Students” who move from one Higher Education course to another, “Re-Sponsorship Students” who have had their studies interrupted, “Top Achievers Students”, a merit-based scholarship, and “OVC/RAC/SEN” for equity-based provision.
Grants and loans are distributed according to the 2019 “memorandum of agreement” regarding student support. This entitles the student to the cost of tuition, paid to the university and maintenance, paid in the form of a student allowance. The Department of Tertiary Education Funding is responsible for both the tuition and the personal allowance. Sponsorship includes opportunities to study abroad, often in cooperation with foreign governments. In 2022, the Ministry announced that 59% of this was allocated to tuition fees and 41% was allocated to the student living allowance.
The division of this sponsorship between grants and loans can vary according to the category of study. Students in category one, critical areas of science and technology, are entitled to full 100% grant for tuition and student maintenance, while in category five, for areas less important to the economy, students are only entitled to a loan.
In 2025, the Ministry announced that students living on campus were entitled to an allowance of BWP 1,500, and the allowance for those living off campus was BWP 1,950. Those studying at brigades were entitled to an allowance of BWP 300; however the government have committed to equalising this to the same level as ordinary students.
Applicants from the three specific groups identified as requiring support are entitled to apply for scholarships with the reduced academic requirements of 31 points.
Rural Area Children (RAC), the acronym sometimes also stands for Remote Area Communities) are those affected by the Remote Area Dwellers Programme (RADP). This covers 73 settlements regarded as needing extra support to address longstanding social and economic marginalisation.
According to the 2010 National Plan of Action for the Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), orphans are categorised as those who have lost one or both parents. Vulnerable children are those who live in an abusive environment, live in a poor family, are carers, are HIV positive, live with a disability or are estranged from family. From its introduction in 2010 to the financial year 2013/14, a cumulative total of 2149 OVC children had been granted support accessing tertiary education.
The Inclusive Education Policy of 2011 sets a priority to assist those with Special Educational Needs to “progress where possible to senior secondary and/or tertiary education or to vocational training”. Those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are entitled to register with the Social Welfare Office and apply for sponsorship.
According to a government announcement, out of 8543 students offered scholarships in 2020, 1002 were in one of these three categories.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
According to the Memorandum of Agreement that covers the sponsorship programme, maintenance costs explicitly include travel costs. This should be provided by the Ministry of Education. In 2024, they announced that BWP 1.3 billion was allocated for living allowances, medical expenses and travel. No further breakdown of this number was found.
Accommodation
According to the Memorandum of Agreement, boarding is covered in the maintenance cost. Universities are expected to provide dormitories. These are sometimes managed on a public-private partnership basis. If students do not take university accommodation, they are entitled to a larger living allowance.
Textbooks
As part of the maintenance costs, sponsored students are entitled to a book allowance. This is paid to the student directly alongside the living allowance and varies by course.
