The Parliamentary Opposition has called on the Government to ensure all Government-funded tertiary extension students return to their respective institutions of study to continue and complete their studies.
Opposition Leader Manasseh Maelanga issued the call yesterday after a group of Solomon Islands Government-funded students of the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University and Fiji School of Medicine visited his office, expressing their frustration about the National Training Unit’s (NTU) poor handling of the government scholarship programme.
Approximately 149 extension students have been left out of the NTU list and are now stranded without scholarships.
This includes those studying at regional institutions as well as in-country at the USP SI Campus.
The students’ spokesperson Lenorah Kyere claimed when they went to NTU and asked to talk with the Director on one-on-one basis about their scholarships, he avoided them.
She said the reason for them wanting to speak to the Director on a one-on-one basis is because some are ‘deferral students’ and others ‘reinstatement’ and ‘campus transfer.’
Ms Kyere said all that the Director did was put out a list of student names and stated that the list was for ‘extension’ students, adding that it appeared that the NTU officials cannot differentiate the different categories of students that they have to deal with.
The Opposition Leader also reiterated his call to increase the number of scholarships for this year to 2,000.
“Government must commit fund for tertiary scholarships to ensure that no eligible Solomon Islands student is denied the opportunity to pursue their education.”
Mr Maelanga said its time SIDCCG seriously consider exploring bilateral scholarship arrangements that is available to Solomon Islands yet remain unexplored.
He said some of the extension students have only one semester left and it would be a total waste of government resources if they are not sent back to complete their courses.
The Opposition Leader said the government must always bear in mind that students are the next generation of leaders and it is critical for them to be given top priority to undertake study and professional development.
“Those who have passed their exams the previous year must return to their respective institutions of studies quickly as the 2018 academic year has already started and the same treatment must be accorded to extension students.”
Hon Maelanga said NTU officials like all other government officials ought to be reminded that they are employed by the government to serve the people and they must carry out their duty with utmost diligence and responsibility.
– Opposition Press Secretariat
