In todays latest HELSB News – HELSB Zambia Consider Establishing Offices Across All 10 Provinces. For over a decade, the Higher Education and Scholarships Board (HELSB) has been instrumental in supporting thousands of Zambians to access tertiary education. In 2021 alone, over 21,000 students benefited from HELSB funding — a crucial pillar in Zambia’s commitment to SDG 4: inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
But numbers don’t always tell the full story.
According to our 2021 study, only 37% of HELSB applicants were from rural areas, with most students relying on word of mouth and social media as their primary information sources. This digital and geographic divide has unintentionally excluded learners from rural and underserved communities, who often lack internet access or awareness of the application process.
Recognizing this gap, the Zambia National Education Coalition partnered with HELSB to conduct sensitization sessions across rural districts such as Luangwa, Itezhi Tezhi, Chibombo, and Mumbwa — helping Grade 12 students and school leavers better understand how to access loans and scholarships.
Still, one recommendation kept surfacing:
“HELSB must decentralize to truly serve all Zambians.”
To move this conversation forward, today we hosted a powerful Engagement Meeting, bringing together stakeholders from universities, student unions, the Ministry of Education, and HELSB.
Also Read: Zambia HELSB Announce 20% Discount on Full Term Settlement of Loan Repayment
Mr. George Hamusungu, ZANEC Executive Director, presented findings from the 2021 research — detailing how centralised operations hinder rural students and how decentralisation could democratise access to student finance.
Fleming Mukonsha, HELSB’s representative shared encouraging statistics on rural applicants post-sensitisation and outlined efforts in loan disbursement, repayment tracking, and system improvements.
Key Outcomes:
Strong support for establishing HELSB offices across all 10 provinces
Acknowledgement of sensitisation gains — with calls for scale-up
Commitment to compile and submit stakeholder recommendations for HELSB decentralisation.
Also Read: Malawian Delegation Conducts Benchmarking Visit with Zambia’s HELSB
The goal is clear: A Zambia where no student is left behind due to where they were born or the resources they have.
As ZANEC we continue championing equity in education financing — because access should never be a privilege.
