We Cannot Continue To Cover For People When The Truth Is Crystal Clear – Speaker Among Directs Education Ministry To Address Disparities In Students Loan Scheme Admissions

We Cannot Continue To Cover For People When The Truth Is Crystal Clear – Speaker Among Directs Education Ministry To Address Disparities In Students Loan Scheme Admissions

Posted on 5 October 2024 0
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By Spy Uganda

Kampala: Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to provide an analysis of admissions under the Students Loan Scheme following concerns raised by MPs over unequal distribution of slots across Uganda’s districts.

The directive came in response to a complaint by Elijah Okupa, MP for Kasilo County, who highlighted significant disparities in the allocation of slots to different districts.

According to Okupa Karenga district received only one slot, Kapelebyong four, while districts like Ntungamo and Wakiso received 75 slots each. Other districts like Amudat and Buliisa were allocated as few as three slots, raising concerns of unfairness.

“There are districts receiving 65 slots, while others are getting just one. This disparity is unacceptable. We need to understand where this inequity is coming from,” Okupa stated.

He further criticized the allocation process, suggesting it lacked transparency and fairness, noting that even in Bukedea District, only one student was selected, and their name didn’t reflect the local Teso heritage.

Sadly, the previous Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) report had raised similar concerns.

In response, Speaker Among emphasized the need for transparency and urged the Ministry to review the admissions process. “We cannot continue to cover for people when there are clear wrongdoings. We need an analysis of these admissions to ensure fairness across all districts,” she said.

However, Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, defended the selection process used by the Higher Education Students Financing Board. He explained that students apply online, and the number of slots allocated correlates with the number of applicants from each district.

“The Students Loan Scheme is advertised nationally, and students are encouraged to apply. If a district like Wakiso had 200 applicants and 50 were selected, is that unfair? The system is designed to select the most competent and qualified students,” Ogwang said.

Despite Ogwang’s defence, Nathan Itungo, MP for Kashari County, pointed out that universities also raised concerns about the scheme. He noted that private universities often receive more students than public universities. “Apart from district complaints, universities are also affected. Some public universities are being allocated fewer students compared to private institutions, which is concerning,” Itungo stated.

Recent data from the Higher Education Students Financing Board’s 2024/25 performance report confirmed the trend, with private universities receiving more slots. For instance, Kampala International University was allocated 205 students, while Kyambogo University received 150, and Makerere University, the country’s premier public institution, was allocated only 86 slots.

In response to the concerns, Minister Ogwang promised to provide detailed data on the number of applicants from each district compared to the students selected by the board.

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