MoHERST Reviews Higher Education Trust Fund & Student Loan Scheme Bills
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology with stakeholders on Wednesday, April 26th, commenced a three-day workshop to review the draft of the tertiary and higher education trust fund, National Innovation Fund and the student loan scheme bills.
The ministry is currently implementing its 2021- 2025 Strategic Plan that focuses on access, equity and quality, scientific research and technological development, and sector management as programmatic areas of intervention.
As the plan aims to support institutions and students, MoHERST develops a Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, National Innovation and Student Loan Scheme Bills that will be used for the development of tertiary and higher education institutions ranging from quality capacity building for teachers, providing conducive learning environment and as well as support the financing of the Student Loan Scheme.
The three-day event brings together stakeholders in the education sector at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center to examine and validate the draft bills before tabling them before the cabinet and the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
Minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez says the bills seek to “encourage Gambians to pursue higher education, provide quality teaching and learning materials for institutions, reduce poverty and enhance the country’s economic growth and development among others. These bills are unprecedented and game changers of the sector as it is part of the ministry’s transformation agenda”.
The Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reform, Policy Coordination and Delivery, Babucarr Boye said the importance of the bills cannot be overemphasis as the Gambian has so long been struggling with higher education financing.
“This will give eligible Gambians that couldn’t further their education due to financial predicaments the opportunity to gain degrees of their choice without any financial hurdles”.
Bakary K Badjie, Vice-Chairperson, Select Committee on Education describes the scheme as a significant course that the National Assembly will fully support.
“Let to the National Assembly alone this is a done deal because we understand how challenging it is for the average Gambians to get access to higher education due to financial issues”.
Meanwhile, the National Innovation Fund will be used by researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs within the innovation ecosystem.
When the Bills gets the blessings and comes into play, it will not only ease student’s burdens in getting degrees but also boost the country’s higher education and employment opportunities and economic growth.