Minister of Higher Education Dr Ibrahim Hassan has revealed efforts are underway to seek the unpaid student loans which were issued over the years.
Speaking to the press, Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan said there are individuals who are yet to repay any amount of the student loans issued by the state for their higher education, as well as individuals who are not following the repayment schedule. The minister said such individuals have been issued letters to remind them to pay back their student loans.
An audit report of the higher education ministry conducted in December 2019 showed the state is yet to receive USD 7.4 million issued as student loans between 1990 and 2018. During this period, student loans worth USD 9.1 million were issued to 1,166 students pursuing higher education.
The audit revealed the accounts of the loans have not been properly maintained, leading to difficulties in confirming the outstanding amounts and due dates. The auditor general advised to take immediate measures to seek the unpaid student loans to the state, including prosecution of individuals who do not repay their loans.