The Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) is seeking Sh2.5 billion from the National Treasury to be channelled as loans to government-sponsored university freshmen for the procurement of at least 60,000 laptops.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, majority of the students are not able to facilitate their studies online since all schools were closed and most students were forced to take up e-learning to continue with their studies.
Lack of essential resources such as computers has made it hard for many students to take up their classes online.
Helb CEO Charles Ringera introduced the idea to facilitate online learning should the treasury approve the money.
About 60,000 students will be able to secure laptops using a portion of their Helb loans as opposed in-person classes where the virus is likely to spread and fast.
”The new normal is e-learning. Several universities have resumed teaching and learning online. This blended learning is the way to go into the future,” Ringera said. “The loans mean students can stop using small devices like mobile phones and at least use laptops.”
He added that if the Treasury approves. Laptops can also help them do online work for income.
The proposal is for half of those joining university as first years – at least 61,000 to get the laptop loan.
They include the deficit from loan recoveries due to the inability of beneficiaries to repay due to the Covid pandemic and inability to find employment. Helb will need Sh1.7 billion.
Rigera added that the newly increased fees also means the board will need around Sh14 billion to allow students procure the required amounts from the institutions and pandemic had forced the board to reduce the loan amounts from Sh45, 000 to Sh37,000.
By Christabel Airo