Revisit student loan recovery mechanism

The Rwf70 billion that former beneficiaries of tertiary education student loans owe the Government are monies that can, and should be recovered as efficiently and quickly as possible. Graduates are expected to repay the money they owe in installments once they finish university

Friday, September 07, 2012

The Rwf70 billion that former beneficiaries of tertiary education student loans owe the Government are monies that can, and should be recovered as efficiently and quickly as possible. Graduates are expected to repay the money they owe in installments once they finish university The repayment process can be facilitated if the Rwanda Education Board (REB) works closely with the employers of all beneficiaries. They must sensitise the former university students that it is not only their obligation to pay back the loan, but also their patriotic duty as citizens. These former students need to understand that paying back their loan will help make it possible for other students to access scholarships. With the advancement in technology, and the existence of a data base consisting of details of Rwandans, the concerned body should embark on an intensive tracking system of their beneficiaries. Using the National ID office, or the Social Security board, the loans recovery office can track down defaulters and require them to pay the loans. It is absurd that there are individuals who, despite being employed for five years and more, have not repaid the loans just because no one is following up. Rwf 70 billion is no small amount. Collecting it should be priority for the scholarships body.