The Executive Director of the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB), Dr. Bill Kiwia, has emphasized the importance of collaboration with Education Quality Assurers in collecting and verifying accurate student information to ensure that higher education loans are allocated on time and reach eligible beneficiaries.
Dr. Kiwia made the remarks on October 9, 2026, in Dodoma during a working session involving the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, HESLB, and Education Quality Assurers from all 26 regions of Mainland Tanzania.
The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation in obtaining reliable information about students seeking higher education loans.
He said accurate information on examination results, orphaned students, students with disabilities, and those with special needs is essential for budget planning, loan allocation, and advising the Government on the actual needs of higher education financing.
Dr. Kiwia further noted that the use of existing information systems across various institutions would help speed up data collection and verification, reduce errors and fraudulent information, and minimize difficulties faced by students applying for loans.
He added that stronger collaboration would ensure that information submitted to HESLB originates from the relevant authorities and is properly verified, particularly details concerning students’ personal circumstances and eligibility, to ensure loans are allocated according to their actual needs.
The HESLB Executive Director stressed that timely access to accurate information is crucial in ensuring students receive their loans or funds when they report to their respective higher learning institutions.
He also underscored the importance of integrating information systems across institutions to facilitate the efficient exchange and verification of student data.
Dr. Kiwia revealed that the Government has allocated TSh 787.4 billion for student loans and financial assistance in the current year, with more than 292,400 students expected to benefit.
The beneficiaries include over 81,300 first-year students, 160,738 continuing students, and more than 11,000 students pursuing diploma-level programmes.
He said the projected increase in the number of loan beneficiaries highlights the need for accurate and verified information to support effective planning, allocation, and management of resources dedicated to higher education.
Earlier, the Director of School Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Ephraim Simbeye, emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring that student information is accurately collected and verified to strengthen the provision of loans to eligible students.
During the meeting, leaders and relevant authorities were urged to work closely together in collecting, verifying, and submitting student information on time to promote transparency and ensure that higher education loans benefit students who genuinely qualify for assistance.