University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to provide education loan of Tk 10,000 to the needy students each of public universities to buy smartphones.
It has also been told that the payment of education loan may start from September. However, the students have to repay the loan on easy terms.
In this regard, UGC Chairman Professor Kazi Shahidullah told the media that the initiative has been taken to involve all students in online classes. A proposal in this regard has also been sent to the Ministry of Education. With the consent, it will be possible to give an education loan of Tk 10,000 to the students to buy a smartphone by September.
In this case, everything depends on the decision of the Ministry of Education.
The UGC chairman further said that he had asked the universities to provide a list of indigent students. They sent the list. There are inconsistencies in the list sent by a few universities. Letters will be sent to correct them.
Initially Tk 50 to 60 crore will be needed to implement the project. The matter is being discussed between UGC and the Ministry of Education. If all goes well, students will be given the loan this month. Students will have the opportunity to repay this loan before the end of their academic year. They will be given the opportunity to repay the loan at the rate of Tk 500 per month.
The UGC chairman told the education loan must be repaid. A student will have the opportunity to repay the loan during his / her academic year. If he does not repay this loan, he will not be given a certificate.