Private sources of funding for higher education necessary

The government plans to scrap allowances for government sponsored students in Institutions of Higher learning. This is part of a new policy to prioritize funding universal primary and secondary education over higher education. Activities like the 9-Year Basic Education (9-YBE programme and vocational and technical training are being given more priority. As the education minister put it. Governments, the world over, give more priority to universal access to secondary and primary education. Therefore, in this regard, there is a deliberate effort to avail basic education to Rwandans of all walks. But university students need not despair. Scholarships and grants are availed to high performing and gifted students in core areas like science and technology. It is important for all stakeholders, especially university students, to realize the noble intentions of using a bigger share of our scarce financial resources to basic education. Therefore it is important that parents and their children interested in acquiring university education, explore alternative means of financing their education. This move to grant more funding to basic education also presents an opportunity for private student loans. The loans can provide an alternative to government sponsorship in institutions of higher learning. Ends