The government has defended its commitment to prioritize science and mathematics students for the student loan scheme.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, noted that the local job market is relying on science and technology.
According to him, the government is determined to increase the resource envelope for the loan scheme.
“Through the board, the government is supporting students that offer science, technology, and engineering programs, essentially for the current local job market that will drive economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness while addressing pressing challenges and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Uganda,” Muyingo stated.
He also added that 43% of this year’s loan beneficiaries are female, the highest percentage since the inception of the scheme, reflecting government commitment to gender equity.
With this year’s budget of Shs7 billion allocated for the scheme, the Higher Education Student’s Financing Board (HESFB) has awarded loans to 1,838 students, including 29 persons with disabilities (PWD). This alone, HESFB received a total of 6,661 applicants, marking a 27.5% success rate.
Since its inception in 2014, the Board has supported a total of 16,437 students in the last 11 years of operation, with a loan portfolio exceeding UGX 120 billion, showing a growing need for higher education among the youth, especially from the Universal Primary Education (UPE), the Universal Secondary Education, and the Universal Post-O’ Level Education and Training (UPOLET) programs.
