Teachers have emerged as the most disciplined group in repaying student loans under the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), even as thousands of professionals in high-paying sectors continue to default on their obligations.
According to HELB’s latest data, over 79,000 teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are consistently remitting their dues through a payroll check-off system, a mechanism praised for its reliability and enforcement. HELB Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari commended teachers for their commitment, noting that their repayment discipline has helped sustain the revolving fund that supports thousands of needy students.
“Teachers have been exemplary in honoring their obligations. The payroll system has ensured consistency and discipline in loan repayment,” Monari said.
In stark contrast, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and engineers have topped the list of defaulters. HELB records show that 21,356 lawyers, 19,508 accountants, 16,855 doctors, and 12,014 engineers have yet to clear their student loans.
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Monari urged all beneficiaries to take personal responsibility, warning that continued default undermines the fund’s sustainability and denies future students access to higher education. “These funds are meant to revolve. When one generation fails to repay, the next suffers,” he said.
The Board maintains that timely repayment is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, a shared responsibility to ensure that access to education remains equitable and sustainable.
HELB is also exploring policy reforms to tighten enforcement and expand the reach of automated repayment systems beyond the public sector.
By Masaki Enock
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