A majority of students enrolled under the government’s free degree scheme over the past six years have pursued studies in management and administrative fields, an audit of the initiative has revealed.
Between 2019 and 2024, higher education opportunities under the scheme were granted to 16,388 students. Among these recipients, 38 per cent elected management and administration, while education degrees represented 17 per cent, and accounting and taxation accounted for 9 per cent. Institutional records show 73 per cent of beneficiaries attended private colleges, whereas 27 per cent enrolled in the two state universities.
Demographic distributions showed female students comprised 65 per cent of participants, whereas male students accounted for 35 per cent. Young adults aged 19 to 21 represented 34 per cent of overall enrolments. Lower male participation was attributed to a structural deficit in Level 7 degree-level vocational programmes; although technical tracks drew 68 per cent of male beneficiaries, such programmes lacked bachelor’s degree equivalency.
Total government spending reached USD 54.15 million through 2024. Compliance reviews uncovered notable fiscal leakages, including USD 1.23 million spent on 790 students who withdrew without completing their courses, funds that the state failed to recover, the Auditor General’s Office highlighted. Auditors also identified USD 609,597.92 improperly disbursed to 271 individuals already holding degrees. Management intakes rose from 516 in 2019 to 1,030 in 2024, whilst teacher preparation fell to 295.