Tertiary education funding in limbo
Government is facing a severe shortfall in funding for tertiary education, with a deficit exceeding P895 million reported for the first half of 2026.
This revelation by Minister of Higher Education Prince Maele has cast a spotlight on the growing financial challenges plaguing the country’s higher education sector.
Maele told Parliament that the shortfall is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend that began in the 2024/2025 financial year, when a shortage of over P785 million was recorded and only paid off in the current fiscal year.
Most recently, another gap of more than P234 million emerged from August to December 2025, underscoring the persistent funding crisis.
At the heart of this financial strain lies a fundamental issue: the limited repayment of student loans. The government’s student loan programme, designed to support access to tertiary education, has been crippled by a repayment rate far below expectations.
For the financial year 2025/2026, only P6 million was collected from student loan repayments against a target of P20 million. This shortfall in revenue directly translates into an inability to cover tuition fees for students, forcing the government into difficult budgetary compromises.
Maele said the challenge is compounded by the government’s reliance on student loans as a key financing mechanism, which itself is under threat due to low repayment rates and the economic realities facing graduates.
The government's budget allocation for education between 2024 and 2026 reflects competing priorities.
While the Ministry of Higher Education received a substantial allocation, P7.37 billion in 2026, the fifth largest share of the national budget, this funding is still insufficient to cover the growing costs of tertiary education amidst shortfalls in loan repayments.
The broader education budget also has to support primary and secondary education, social welfare programmes, and infrastructure projects, leaving tertiary education vulnerable to fiscal squeeze.
Observers have said addressing the tertiary education funding crisis in Botswana requires a multi-faceted approach. They have pointed out that the government must explore innovative funding models beyond student loans, incorporating greater public investment or partnerships with the private sector.
Strengthening loan recovery mechanisms and providing support for graduate employment could improve repayment rates. Equally important is managing the budget allocation to ensure tertiary education does not suffer as other priorities compete for limited resources.
The implications of this funding crisis extend beyond the education sector. A well-educated workforce is critical to Botswana’s economic transformation and competitiveness.
Without adequate investment in tertiary education, the country risks stalling its development ambitions and widening social inequalities. The government’s ability to navigate this financial challenge will be a decisive factor in Botswana’s prospects.
Maele said the government faces a daunting challenge: bridging a funding gap of nearly a billion pula in tertiary tuition fees while ensuring the sustainability of student loan programmes.
The low repayment rates reveal systemic issues in the education financing model and the broader economic environment. Finding a durable solution will require bold policy choices, increased fiscal commitment, and a renewed focus on creating opportunities for graduates to thrive and contribute to the nation’s growth.