SLF slams student loan forgiveness proposal

The Student Loan Fund (SLF) stands to lose up to 6 billion baht per year if the law regulating it is amended to waive loan attention and cancel fees against defaulters, according to the SLF.

The bill in order to amend the SLF Act cleared the home last month and it has now been sent to the Senate meant for deliberation. Critics state the legislation, subsidized by the Bhumjaithai Party, damages people’s financial discipline and undermines the SLF’s liquidity.

The particular SLF bill has been among 12 bits of legislation the celebration forwarded to parliament on Sept twelve, 2019. SLF supervisor Chainarong Katchapanan yesterday expressed concern over the proposed cancellation associated with interests and fines, saying the expenses should prioritise the security of the fund as a whole.

Developed as a revolving account, the money offered because SLF loans comes from loans repaid by previous borrowers. The particular SLF’s financial power hinges on the amount of repaid loans and how effective it manages to lend to the next set of borrowers. The SLF is concerned that will without the interest charge and the defaulter great, borrowers will not be inspired to keep up with payments.

Every year, the SLF has about 40 billion dollars baht worth of liquidity. Of this, curiosity charges and defaulter fines amount to 6 billion baht. The particular portion of the money would disappear if the SLF Act was amended under Bhumjaithai’s plan, weakening the fund’s liquidity.

Mr Chainarong said the SLF continues to be called to testify in front of Senate on the plan. He stated he will seek to boost the importance of retaining attention and fines to the Senate’s legislative vetting committee.

Since its inception, the SLF has disbursed loans highly valued at 702 billion baht to 6. 2 million learners nationwide. So far this season, loans worth 37 billion baht have already been approved for 638, 132 students. Repayments so far this year end up 27 billion baht.

Mister Chanarong said money has also been lent in order to students at 313 schools and education and learning outlets nationwide, both state- and private-run. Some 61% associated with loans extended are overdue. The 25 best tertiary shops ranked by student loan repayments are mostly state-run establishments. Topping all of them is Phayao University, and the only privately-run institute among the twenty five is the Panyapiwat Institute of Management.