October 28, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
During the debate of the Student Loan Scheme Fund Act 2021, the Deputy Speaker of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas, has told members of Parliament that the Student Loan Scheme is very essential and timely for the nation as many students will no longer be university dropout due to lack of fees.
Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas reaffirmed that, the Student Loan Scheme Fund is good for the country adding that, when the bill would have been enacted into law, it will not only help the students but also help politicians who have so many students to pay fees for.
He disclosed that he pays fess for over one hundred University Students despite the meager salary he is his paid. He said everyday students go to his private office talking to him around issues relating to fees.
Hon. Thomas continued by admonishing members of Parliament that year in year out especially in terms of university education, he said it is politicians that bear the burden of paying University fees for students.
He acknowledged that majority of Sierra Leoneans are poor and could not afford to pay fees for their children.
He added that so many children who should have been graduates today are out there in the street starving, not out of their making but because of the fact that their parents could not afford university fees for them.
“I think this particular policy which is the Student Loan Scheme Fund is extremely good for this nation. No Member of Parliament will stand in this well to challenge this bill. I Know as members of parliament you sometimes have issue with other policies but I can say with authority that for this particular bill, no Member of Parliament will go against this bill”, he said.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament expressed that anyone who means well for Sierra Leone will not challenge the bill adding that, the bill serves in the interest of the very constituents they are representing as members of Parliament.
“Mr. Speaker Honorable Members, you want to know that when it is time for university examinations you see students going all over the place asking for handout to pay their fees”, he said.
Hon. Thomas concluding by reassuring Members of Parliament that the bill is going to help them and the poor people of Sierra Leone in terms of payment of university fees.
He noted that currently they can afford to pay fees for their children as members of parliament but the poor people they serve cannot afford such. He therefore, urged Members of Parliament to use their good conscience and pass the bill into law.