1, 400 university students missing on loan scheme list

HUYE -Up to one thousand four hundred and forty-five students of the National University of Rwanda (NUR) in Huye have not managed to attend their lectures since the university re-opened early this week. The affected NUR students are among those countrywide waiting for the Student Financing Agency for Rwanda (SFAR)’s decision on whether to increase the number of beneficiaries of the scheme or not. They didn’t find their names on the list of beneficiaries from the education loan scheme. The students appealed to SFAR, which has not yet responded. After a recent assessment of students’ financial status, SFAR decided to stop extending loans to some students who use the money to pay part of their education costs in government institutions of higher learning. Last week, NUR had requested the Ministry of Education to postpone this academic year’s opening date as the institution awaits a decision by SFAR on providing funds for more students. According to the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar, all schools were scheduled to re-open Monday, January 28. But NUR, through the students’ guild body, requested to have it postponed to February 11. According to NUR Guild President Geoffrey Gasasira, the students lack basic needs like food and accommodation. We think students cannot start school in these conditions, Gasasira said. Following the appeal by the students’ guild body, the Management Committee of the university decided during a meeting to write to the Minister of Education seeking the extension. The university Vice Rector in charge of academics Martin O’Hara confirmed the development but said they have not got a response from the minister. But consultations are underway between the Rector and the minister, he added. The University Restaurant currently serves meals to only students who were short-listed by SFAR to access the tuition loans. Those whose approval is pending are compelled to either pay for meals beforehand or have to go to privately owned restaurants outside campus. The cheapest restaurants in Butare, including the university restaurant, want Frw18, 000 to feed students per month. Last year, they charged Frw15, 000 per month. For accommodation, the cheapest room in town goes for Frw5, 000. Ends