Legislators on the Parliament Budget Committee have in their budget report proposed the need for government to enhance the budget for the Students Loan Scheme with an additional sh6.6b.

While appearing before the Parliament Budget Committee yesterday to defend his committee report, the Parliament Education Committee chairperson John Twesigye explained that the available funding of sh5.7b can only support 1,419 students in the financial year 2022/2023, leaving out 1,581 students.

Twesigye noted that the proposal of additional allocation of sh6.6b to the Higher Education Students Financing Board is aimed at ensuring a total of 3000 needy students benefit from the scheme annually.

West Budama County legislator  Emmanuel Otiam argued that the issuance of loans to students ought to be a continuous process where students can, at any time, apply for the loans and be given due consideration.

Chekwii County MP Moses Aleper supported the provision of additional funding for loans to students but emphasized the need to revisit the criteria by which the loans are awarded to ensure there is a regional balance.