PARLIAMENT | EDUCATION | LOAN SCHEME

KAMPALA - Parliament has tasked the Minister of Education to present a statement, explaining the absence of money meant for University continuing students on the government loan scheme.

According to MP Nathan Itungu, the money has not been provided for in the budget for the financial year 2022/23.

Raising the matter in Parliament, MP Itungu wondered how the students will be able to finish their education when there’s no money in the budget.

“Am on the education committee of Parliament and I confirm that the money is not provided for in the budget. The Ministry has also indicated in its Policy Statement that there’s no money. All this is attributed to budget cuts. We know that the criteria for selecting these students are that they must be needy, poor,” he said.

Itungu said, “Now that we are concluding the budget process, can we have a statement on these continuing students and that their money will be provided in the budget and they will be able to complete their studies.”

Speaker Anita Among however blamed Itungu for not raising the matter early before the Budget process was concluded.

“The problem was on you. Why do you bring the matter at the tail end when you knew the money was not provided for?” she asked. 

In 2021, the scheme was widened to include both new and continuing university students due to appeals by students, institutions, and the public.

The move is aimed at enabling continuing students who face financial challenges in the course of their studies to complete their education.

Since 2014, eligibility to the Student Loan Scheme has been open only to students joining in their first year of study, at eligible universities, who are funded till they complete their studies.

In the FY2020/21, Parliament of Uganda appropriated additional funding of sh500m to cater for continuing students effective FY2021/22.

Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB), furthermore, in its 27th meeting, approved to gazette this funding to start with Final year students who are struggling to finish their study programmes.

“The funds will be directed to the finalists in the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd year depending on the years of programme,” he explained, as he announced the commencement of the Continuing Students Loan facility ahead of a call for Student Loan applications in October 2021.