Look for smart ways to recover HELB loans, threats don't work

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), established by an Act of Parliament in 1995, sought to provide financial help to university students through loans and scholarships, both locally and internationally.

The introduction of cost sharing in education stood to disadvantage students from humble backgrounds, which was why it was necessary to cushion eligible students against dropping out of university because of lack of fees through the creation of HELB. While the original intention was noble, the execution came with its challenges.