, November 14, 2023. It was attended by several delegations){kind=link}
Zambia: The Zambia Army Headquarters hosted a meeting in Lusaka yesterday (Tuesday), November 14, 2023. It was attended by several delegations, soldiers, officers, and lieutenant generals in Zambia.
The meeting was held to emphasise the Army’s role in facilitating and benefiting the soldiers and officers with the HELSB (Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Boards).
During the meeting, Commander Zambia Army Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi said that the army stands ready with the nation to facilitate the recovery of loans with the HELSB among the officers and soldiers who benefited from the institution’s loans.
Lt Gen Alibuzwi also recognised the Army’s importance in repaying the loans, which is key in providing essential financial support to numerous students under the Defence Force pursuing different programmes in various institutions of higher learning.
He also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to continued cooperation with all institutions, which help in uplifting the professional development of Defence personnel.
The HELSB Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Machayi, extended his pleasure and thanked the Army for its commitment to working with his institution in recovering the funds.
Dr Machayi said the Board depends on the repayments by graduating students to carry out its mandate.
Meanwhile, Zambia Army Director General Training, Brigadier General John Banda, said his office will submit a list of names to higher offices for verification of personnel who have balances with the Loans and Scholarships Board for activation of reductions.
Brig Gen Banda said the Zambia Army currently has a total of 196 Officers and Soldiers who benefited from the loans and scholarships and are yet to start paying back.
“We have arranged as Zambia Army, through the training branch, to make available the list of our personnel that owe the board, and will submit the list to command for verification before the commencement of deductions,” Brig Gen Banda said.
Reportedly, HESLB is the Statutory body established by the High Education Loan and Scholarship Act no. 31 to provide the administration of scholarships and loan schemes. It is committed to administering loans and scholarships for Higher education in Zambia.