Over 320 million USD of loans provided to poor students

Hanoi (VNA) – By the end of June, the Government’s credit programme for poor students had provided over 5.29 trillion VND (over 320 million USD) to some 754,000 students.

Speaking at an on-line conference on the programme held on August 15, Deputy General Director of the Bank for Social Policies Nguyen Van Ly said the programme has received the applause and support from the community after one year’s implementation.

By providing loans of 4 million VND/academic term for each beneficiary, the programme helped many poor students advance their study despite financial difficulties.

However, a survey of 103 universities, colleges and vocational training high schools showed that the credits could meet essential and study needs of only half of recipients.

Representatives from several localities suggested to raise the loans to 6 million VND per term per one in the situation of higher consumption prices.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Education and Training Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan suggested several solutions to make the programme more effective.

He asked the authorised agencies and localities to re-check the lending criteria and objects to ensure the loans come to needy people.

He also said that the Government would re-consider the credit loan level and give an official decision on the issue on August 20.

The on-line conference to review one year’s implementation of the programme connected four cities of Hanoi , Can Tho, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City . It drew the participation of officials from relevant ministries, agencies, and all 63 provinces and cities nationwide.-