ANOTHER group of 136 students left for South African universities yesterday under the Presidential Scholarship Scheme.The students, drawn from disadvantaged families, but academically gifted, were seen off by director of the programme and Manicaland Provincial Governor Cde Christopher Mushohwe.

This is the third group to leave after two other groups left earlier this month.Cde Mushowe said the 136 were still to secure places at the universities when the other groups left.

He said funding problems had seen them recruiting less than 600 students nationwide."We failed to take many students this year because of economic hardships. There is no money to cater for many students.

"The programme did not receive enough money from the Ministry of Finance this year. We received US$3 million instead of US$54 million and that is why we didn't take many students," Cde Mushohwe added.

He said Government gave each student US$200 pocket money.Cde Mushohwe said the students were supposed to work for their country for three years after graduation.

The total number of students who have left under the programme this year is 596.The Presidential Scholarship Programme was founded in 1995 to provide deserving students university education.

Each year, the programme, whose patron is President Mugabe, draws students from each district from the country's 10