PROF.MDOE: EMPHASIS ON LEVERAGING SERVICE DELIVERY TO STUDENTS' LOAN BENEFICIARIES

The Tanzanian Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Prof. James Mdoe has called upon all loan officers in higher learning institutions to uphold utmost customer service to the student beneficiaries in their respective institutions.

Prof. Mdoe denoted this today, Wednesday 11^th October, 2023, during his opening remarks as Guest of Honour for the 3-days Working Session between HESLB Management and the Loan Officers from 80 academic institutions.

“The services you are rendering is part of your obligations and a right for good customer service to these loan beneficiaries. I reckon that you are offering good services and likewise realize that you have a chance to do better by optimizing your service delivery…” Prof. Mdoe addressing 97 loan officers attending the Working Session in Bagamoyo, Pwani.

In addition to this call to loan officers, Prof. Mdoe has urged the Management Teams of these higher learning institutions to strengthen the students’ loans desks by appointing loan officers that are capable and facilitating them with resources that will enable them to offer good services to the students.

“Heads of the higher learning institutions should create an enabling environment for these loan officers by providing the required facilities and offering regular capacity building in bid to improve their performance and service delivery. It is important to note that, while these institutions are critical for skills development to these students, an average of 60-70 percent of their revenue is generated from the student loans through government subsidized tuition fees” emphasized Prof. Mdoe.

During his welcoming remarks to the Guest of Honour, the Chairperson of HESLB Board of Directors, Prof. Hamisi Dihenga, unveiled that every year before commencement of the academic year, it has been a tradition of HESLB to organize a joint working session with the loan officers with the purposes of sharing experiences and skills for improving students’ loans management.

On the other hand, HESLB Executive Director, Mr. Abdul-Razaq Badru, said that the working session beared the theme “The importance of technology in leveraging service delivery to student loans beneficiaries” and revealed that the loan officers will be trained on HESLB enhances loans management systems.

Frida Malya, a loan officer from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and also the chairperson of the Loan Officers Association reminded students to comply to institutional procedures on loans management and cooperate with loan officers so that they could be served better and timely.

“… the students that we are serving in our universities and colleges face some challenges in accessing these loans, there are those that do not follow procedures and some that fail to conduct their responsibilities…… but still, these are our primary customers. We assure you that we are working tirelessly to serve them and pledge to even serve them better” said Malya.

On the side of the representative from Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Students’ Organization (TAHLISO), Mr. Makame Khamis, he has extended vote of thanks to the Government for setting aside the budget for the students’ loans and grants every year. Makame attested that TAHLISO will continue to accord necessary cooperation to HESLB and loan officers and sensitize students on playing their part.

“… We extend our gratitude to the President of United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan and her counterpat the President of Zanzibar Dr. Hussein Mwinyi for catering to our financial needs by ensuring provision of loans and grants through the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) and Zanzibar Higher Education Loans Board (ZHELB)…. This year alone, the Government has set aside a record TZS. 786 bilion for the loanable fund Budget, this is indeed a huge amount….. on our side we assure you cooperation and we will never dissapoint you!” said Makame.