Higher Education Minister Ali Haidar has blamed a shortage of civil service employees for the failure to respond to emails and calls from students.

Appearing in the People's Majlis on Tuesday morning, Haidar said the ministry was unable to work efficiently due to a labour shortage.

"Sometimes we are not able to work due to a lack of staff, especially civil service staff. However, we are trying as much as possible to divide the work and set specific targets to complete the work," he stated.

But in a letter sent to the parliament on April 30, Haidar blamed the issuance of too many student loans as the reason the ministry was unable to attend to emails and calls.

He claimed that the ministry was receiving more than 600 emails and letters a day.

Last year, the government opened 500 student loan opportunities. However, 1,709 students applied and the government decided to issue loans to all eligible students. A total of 1,153 eligible students were issued loans last year.

At today's parliament sitting, Haidar announced that a special application for complaints and queries from students will be launched before October.

"We are introducing an app called Higher Education Management System, which will be completed by October. With that app, we will be able to address students' requests or complaints promptly," he said.