SLB will have money, says Holness
Published:Monday | December 7, 2009 | 6:24 PM
The Ministry of Education is rejecting claims that the Students Loan Bureau (SLB) is running out of money.
The ministry says the SLB will have sufficient funds to provide loans next year.
The bureau provides loans to students to pursue tertiary studies.
Speaking at the Western Campus of the University of the West Indies, on the weekend, the opposition spokesman on education, Basil Waite, said the SLB would not have enough money to provide loans.
Director of Communications in the education ministry, Colin Blair, says the bureau has the required funds.
He added that the education ministry has been advised by the Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, that there is no cash shortage at the SLB.
Mr Blair says the bureau has been affected by the difficulties caused by the global economic crisis, but the government will ensure that the tertiary education-funding institution has enough cash to lend.
He says provisions are also being made for increased allocations to the SLB in the next budget to ensure that those who qualify receive loans.