by Ben Taylor
Student Loans system struggling under weight of non-repayment
The sustainability of Tanzania’s Higher Education Students Loans Board (HESLB) is at risk, with TSh 760 billion (~£210m) in outstanding loan repayments on the books, raising concerns about the future of higher education financing in the country.
Since the introduction of student loans at the start of the 1994/95 academic year, the government has disbursed TSh 7.2 trillion to 754,000 students. However, it has been reported that of the 448,824 eligible beneficiaries, only 226,292 are actively making repayments.
By the end of 2023, total collections reportedly stood at TSh 1.34 trillion, accounting for only 64% of the TSh 2.1 trillion in mature loans.
“We have intensified efforts to identify beneficiaries in employment and those operating in the informal economy,” said Dr Bill Kiwia, the HESLB executive director.
Non-compliance among informal sector beneficiaries, who evade repayment, remains a significant issue. Some employers fail to deduct and remit loan repayments promptly, while others submit incorrect deductions. And many graduates face irregular income, making consistent repayments difficult.
A lack of integration between HESLB and key national databases, such as the National Identification Authority (NIDA), further complicates the tracking of beneficiaries.
The government allocated TSh 743.3 billion for student loans in the 2023/24 financial year, up from TSh 570 billion in 2021/22, to meet the growing demand for financial assistance.
In February, the parliamentary committee recommended an increase in HESLB’s budget to ensure all eligible students receive loans.
HESLB, established under Act No. 9 of 2004 (amended in 2007, 2014, and 2016), is tasked with providing loans and grants to financially needy Tanzanian students in accredited higher education institutions. Its primary mandates include issuing loans, recovering loans to sustain a revolving fund, and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance financing. The revolving fund model is central to its financial health, aiming to recycle loan repayments to fund new loans.
Research by the Tanzania Institute of Education and University of Dar es Salaam indicates that while HESLB has increased enrolment, it has also widened social inequalities. Students from low-income backgrounds often face barriers due to stringent criteria, and inadequate funding channels fail to support all eligible candidates, impacting the Board’s mission and public perception.
NGOs call for an end to corporal punishment in schools
Following the tragic death of a Form Two student in Simiyu region, allegedly beaten and trampled by her teacher, several organisations have urged the government to abolish the 2002 education guidelines that permit corporal punishment. The NGOs also called for the development of alternative disciplinary guidelines aimed at promoting positive student behaviour.
The involved organisations include HakiElimu, Msichana Initiative, Save the Children, Childrens Dignity Forum, Shule Direct, Children in Crossfire, and the Tanzania Child Rights Forum (TCRF).
HakiElimu director Dr John Kalage expressed concern about the increasing number of incidents where children had died or suffered serious injury through corporal punishment issued by teachers. He urged the government to take action to end corporal punishment in schools.
He referred to research conducted by HakiElimu, which shows that in schools where teachers do not use corporal punishment, students feel safer.
Children in Crossfire programme manager, Ms Saraphina Lelo, emphasised that while abuse primarily occurs in schools, its impact extends throughout society.
“The child carries that trauma, and it becomes their way of life. This child will grow up to be a parent, and they might continue this kind of punishment with their children. Society will continue thinking that corporal punishment is the right way to discipline a child, while the reality is they are hurt,” she said.
In response, Education Commissioner Dr Lyabwene Mutahabwa told Mwananchi newspaper that while corporal punishment cannot be entirely abolished, the monitoring system has been strengthened to ensure it is applied in line with existing guidelines.
He explained that the guidelines state that corporal punishment should only be administered by the headteacher or principal and should not exceed three strokes.
“Claiming that corporal punishment will be completely abolished is not true; this may happen in the future, but what we are doing now is strengthening monitoring to ensure that this punishment is applied according to the guidelines,” said Dr Mutahabwa.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the child. As a community, we must work together to report any abuse so that actions can be taken,” he said.