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President Museveni emphasized that redeploying the HESFB staff would be "irregular"
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By Our Reporter
The Parliamentary Education Committee has endorsed President Yoweri Museveni's proposal to lay off all employees of the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB), following the abolition of the board, instead of redeploying them within the Ministry of Education.
This decision came after President Museveni refused to sign the Higher Education Students Financing (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into law, citing concerns about the redeployment clause. The President objected to Section 43 (6) of the Bill, which required the government to redeploy affected HESFB staff within the public service, subject to available positions.
Museveni argued that the employees were neither appointed by the Education Service Commission, as required under Article 168(5) of the 1995 Constitution, nor by the Public Service Commission, as mandated by Article 166(1) of the Constitution.
In his letter, President Museveni emphasized that redeploying the HESFB staff would be "irregular," noting that if the employees wish to join the education or public service sectors, they should undergo the standard recruitment process.
"The staff are not eligible for redeployment in either the Education Service or the Public Service. If they meet the qualifications and wish to join, they must go through the proper recruitment channels," Museveni wrote.
The Education Committee agreed with the President's position, supporting compensation and laying off the employees instead of redeployment. This move is seen as a necessary step to streamline the government's handling of the transition following the board’s dissolution.
The Higher Education Students Financing Board has played a key role in providing student loans and financial aid to university students, but its operations have come under scrutiny, leading to the decision to abolish the board altogether.
Torch Media Africa
