Minister asks banks to review policy on education loans

KOTTAYAM:Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has called upon banks to review their policy on education loans and make the guidelines more liberal and useful for the public. At the inaugural session of the newly formed All India Nursing Students’, Nurses’ and Parents’ Welfare Association here Radhakrishnan said the existing policy frame work was objectionable as it did not consider the ground realities in society. The available amount for education loan, especially for nurses, did not match the existing fee structure in colleges outside the State, he said. According to him, the nursing sector has fallen into a vicious cycle and needs a thorough review.

While education loans are inadequate to meet the needs of students, those who pass out are struggling to get a job. Even if they do find a job, the remuneration is not adequate, not only for a decent living, but also for repayment of loans. Radhakrishnan said that the troubles plaguing the nursing sector were part of the common problems faced by society as a whole. As such, it was the responsibility of the government to take the initiative to find a lasting solution to the crisis, he said. The need of the hour was to sit together and arrive at a viable solution, he said. He called for dialogue with the lead bank authorities as a beginning.