Ministry Of Education Finalises Students Loan Scheme
Aug 17, 2003
THE feasibility study on the needy students’ loans scheme by the department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education has been finalised.
By Arthur Baguma
THE feasibility study on the needy students’ loans scheme by the department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education has been finalised.
It was conducted between October 2002 and July 2003. It indicates that many bright students fail to make it to university because they are not among the 4,000 students.
“We have finalised the collection of views on how the loan scheme should be modelled, managed and implemented. The draft report is ready and will soon be tabled in Parliament. If passed, students who meet the university entry minimum requirements will be able to pay for their education,†the assistant commissioner in charge of Universities and Polytechnics in the Ministry of Education, Enos Rwashema said recently.
The bill will seek to establish the Loans Board as a statutory body to raise funds, lend to students and recover what has been lent at a specified interest rate.
The scheme is aimed at helping students who complete high school and fail to join higher institutions of learning due to lack of money.
“The Government sponsors 4,000 students in universities, but these are the top students. Not all the bright students are taken up. Many of the bright students who can not afford university fees miss out,†Dr Kyanda who conducted the research said.
Comprehensive research on the feasibility of the scheme was conducted involving all the stakeholders in the education sector.
The scheme was first debated in 1989 by the education service commission headed by Prof. Ssentenza Kajubi then.
Two critical recommendations with reference to financing of higher education were raised.
The first was cost-sharing where parents or the students take responsibility of welfare costs while the Government pays the tuition fees.
The second critical recommendation was giving loans to students who were unable to pay their tuition.
The recommendations were well received by cabinet and Government.
The commission also recommended that loans should go to students taking courses in fields that have national significance. Swahili was included at the time. During his campaigns in 2001 the President re- emphasised the loan scheme and assured Ugandans that his government would introduce the scheme.
Ends
THE feasibility study on the needy students’ loans scheme by the department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education has been finalised.
It was conducted between October 2002 and July 2003. It indicates that many bright students fail to make it to university because they are not among the 4,000 students.
“We have finalised the collection of views on how the loan scheme should be modelled, managed and implemented. The draft report is ready and will soon be tabled in Parliament. If passed, students who meet the university entry minimum requirements will be able to pay for their education,†the assistant commissioner in charge of Universities and Polytechnics in the Ministry of Education, Enos Rwashema said recently.
The bill will seek to establish the Loans Board as a statutory body to raise funds, lend to students and recover what has been lent at a specified interest rate.
The scheme is aimed at helping students who complete high school and fail to join higher institutions of learning due to lack of money.
“The Government sponsors 4,000 students in universities, but these are the top students. Not all the bright students are taken up. Many of the bright students who can not afford university fees miss out,†Dr Kyanda who conducted the research said.
Comprehensive research on the feasibility of the scheme was conducted involving all the stakeholders in the education sector.
The scheme was first debated in 1989 by the education service commission headed by Prof. Ssentenza Kajubi then.
Two critical recommendations with reference to financing of higher education were raised.
The first was cost-sharing where parents or the students take responsibility of welfare costs while the Government pays the tuition fees.
The second critical recommendation was giving loans to students who were unable to pay their tuition.
The recommendations were well received by cabinet and Government.
The commission also recommended that loans should go to students taking courses in fields that have national significance. Swahili was included at the time. During his campaigns in 2001 the President re- emphasised the loan scheme and assured Ugandans that his government would introduce the scheme.
Ends