Speaking at an on-line conference in Hanoi on August 15, Deputy General Director of the Bank for Social Policies Nguyen Van Ly said the programme has received support from the community after one year’s implementation.

By providing loans of more than US$230/academic term for each beneficiary, the programme helped many poor students advance their study. However, a survey conducted at 103 universities, colleges and vocational training schools showed that the credits could meet essential and study needs of only half of the recipients.

Representatives from several localities proposed raising the minimum loan level to US$350, citing the soaring prices of commodities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education and Training Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan asked the authorised agencies and localities to re-check the lending criteria and objects to ensure the loans come to needy people. He said that the Government will re-consider their proposal and make a decision on August 20.

The on-line conference to review one year’s implementation of the programme connected four cities of Hanoi, Can Tho, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of officials from relevant ministries, agencies, and all 63 provinces and cities nationwide.