DODOMA: THE Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) has disbursed over 8.2tri/- in loans over the past two decades, benefiting more than 800,000 students.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda revealed this, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Carolyne Nombo, during the launch of the 20th -anniversary commemoration of the board’s establishment in Dodoma yesterday.
Prof Nombo also noted that the sixth phase government has increased the HESLB’s annual budget from 570bn/- to 787bn/-, aiming to support a larger number of underprivileged students.
Since its establishment in 2004, she explained, the board has been proactive in addressing the evolving needs of students, leveraging technology to enable online loan applications.
Prof Nombo urged loan beneficiaries to repay the funds they received to ensure that future generations of underprivileged students can access financial support for their academic needs.
The Executive Director of the board, Dr Bill Kiwia, said that for the current financial year, HESLB has issued loans to 240,000 students, with an additional 9,000 students benefiting from the President Samia Suluhu Hassan Scholarship Scheme.
He revealed that the 20th -anniversary celebrations are being held across all regions, with zonal offices offering special clinics to address challenges faced by loan beneficiaries.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Culture, and Sports, Husna Sekiboko acknowledged the government’s efforts to increase funding for higher education loans.
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However, she pointed out that some eligible students still miss out on loans despite meeting the criteria.
She explained that while every Tanzanian would wish for their child to receive government sponsorship, budget constraints require the implementation of specific selection criteria.
She called on stakeholders to support the government’s efforts by reducing interest rates or easing loan application requirements for students unable to finance their education.
“I commend the board, as in recent years, we no longer hear complaints from students about missing or delayed loans. This is a clear indication that the board is performing effectively and meeting students’ needs,” she added.
At the event, attended by various stakeholders from the education sector, banks, and public institutions, the Director for Knowledge Management and Advocacy at the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), Mr Japhat Boaz, shared that through the integration of TASAF’s system with HESLB’s system, students from underprivileged backgrounds are now able to access 100 per cent of the loans required for their academic expenses.
Mr Boaz further said that to date, the board has issued loans to 11,524 students from poor families, who were not required to prove their financial status thanks to the integrated systems of both institutions.
