MP for Dei Open Hon. Desmond Kipa has called on the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) to provide an update on the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) for students in the country.
During question time in parliament, Mr. Kipa asked a question without notice to the Minister for Higher Education regarding the status of the loan scheme.
“Can you give an update on the status of the High Education Loan Program (HELP) that the department is rolling out so that students in tertiary institutions can know about it?” Mr. Kipa asked.
He said his district is looking into subsidizing school fees for students, however is recieving feedbacks from students indicating that the subsidy is not enough due to delays in the release of HELP loans.
In response, Minister for Higher Education Hon. Kinoka Feo said the department was supposed to close applications in March. However, many students had not applied and requested an extension or the date for the applications to be closed.
“Many students asked us to extend the time period to apply for those loans. The department has an online portal with opening and closing dates. Once students apply, we process payments and then close the portal,”Mr. Feo said.
“But because a lot of students requested for the date to be extended, it was extended and that delayed the process. But I will give you an actual date at our next technical final briefing. “
Mr . Feo concluded by noting that the extension of the dates for the applications was the reason why there was a delay and the department will make sure to close the portal as soon s possible.