Study of aftermath policy

THE tertiary student loan scheme is one of the much talked about issues concerning its impacts on parents.
Recently, the National Planning and Monitoring Minister Sam Basil announced that tertiary students would be given priority to process their NID cards.
However, tertiary students raised concerns over the scheme, its implementation process and the aftermath of repayment terms and conditions.
I have made numerous observations on the scheme, which should be considered by the Government and implementers.
The beginning of a school year is always difficult for students and parents to look for fees.
We have to take note that not all parents have money.
Some parents come from rural communities – faced with the starkest choice to find large sums of money in a short period of time.
The process will take time.
Funds for the loan scheme would be available at mid-year, which is very late.
Can the Finance Minister Rainbo Paita ensure that the budgeted funds (K200mil) be made available at the opening of accounts so students access?
Many students face difficulty at the begining of the academic year, especially with registration.
On the other hand, students would appreciate it if the funds were used to subsidise fees.
This is due to the fact that students aren’t guaranteed jobs after graduation.
If we can’t find jobs, how can we repay the loans?
What if a student never pays his/her loan after their studies? How do we recoup the money?
The Government is doing a good job to introduce the scheme but it may have been rushed.
A proper bottom up policy should capture the pros, cons and related issues that may arise after it’s implemented.
If the government is slow, then respective provincial leaders should quickly step in to assist students to register.

Menagu WALI,
Final year JPR student,
UPNG