In 2014, the government of Uganda introduced students’ loan scheme to broaden chances of attaining higher education among Ugandans and pay after completion of studies. However, more female students have been left aside as compared to their male counterparts. This was based on the fact that few female students offer science subjects and later pass them.
In order to bridge this gap, the regulator of students’ loan scheme, the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB) has introduced an affirmative action to benefit more girls and special needs students with government loans to pursue higher education.
While addressing journalists Mr. Michael Wanyama HESFB Executive Director said that the affirmative action contains the addition of five points to female students to enable them qualify for the loans.
“We give girls an extra five points. We do not publish our score card in the media. People can manipulate it. Naturally, girls are not many doing sciences. Boys double girls who do sciences.”
Also, students with special needs admitted to any course of study will be able to access the government loans which is different from the past when the scheme was only supporting science-based disciplines.
“There is also affirmative action for other programmes targeting people with special needs where we take people who have done humanities. We are trying to broaden our scope. When funds allow in future, we are gradually opening up space to take on more humanities. A person with special disabilities is eligible to do any course he has been admitted for. The board approved this,” Mr. Wanyama added.
HESFB board is also considering adding 100 slots to students coming from the northern region. This was based on the data which indicated that fewer students from the north have been accessing government facilities at all levels.
The application deadline for students’ loan scheme is 31st July 2020.
