The Higher Education Students` Loans Board (HESLB) is proposing giving grants rather than loans to university students pursuing science courses. HESLB`s Executive Director, George Nyatega said the move is aimed at encouraging students to embark on science studies. Nyatega was speaking at a one-day consultative meeting with print media editors in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.
According to Nyatega, the idea would make Tanzania to have enough scientists and make the country prosper in science and technology. He said to start with, HESLB plans to start extending 100 per cent of the loans for varsity students admitted for science programmes. Meanwhile HESLB has entered into a contract with five auctioneers to collect debts from loan beneficiaries, who have completed universities and colleges since 1994. HESLB director of Planning, Research and Information Technology and Communication, Asangye Bangu said that the board was well-equipped in terms of ICT to ensure that it delivered services as intended.
