SEVENTEEN government funded students studying law at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Emalus Campus in Port Vila, Vanuatu are yet to receive their first semester allowance.
A concerned student who is severely affected and who wants to remain anonymous told the Solomon Star on Sunday.
He said semester two commenced on Monday 3rd April but yet they were still without any allowance from their sponsor.
He revealed that only 118 students have received their allowance for the first semester.
He added that out of the 111 students that were still to get their allowance, only 94 students received their stipend Telegraphic Transfer (TT) advise over, but were still without any money deposited in their bank accounts.
“While the 17 of us are left hopeless and are suffering here.
“This is causing a lot of difficulty and frustration to us students.
“Rentals, textbooks are yet to be paid.
“Students can’t print or photocopy because there is no money.
“Students walk to school and back to their various residences as there are no bus fares.
“Most of the students might just be attending classes with empty stomach,” the student said.
He said, it is really sad to suffer is a foreign land.
“It’s very surprising to note that some of our colleagues had received their allowances a fortnight ago, yet some of us are left with no allowances.
“We are now in semester two of the academic year yet nothing is forthcoming.
“It would get worse when landlords will have to lock their doors and show us the exit door.”
When asked on how they management to survive up until now, the student said, they only survive on credit.
“We borrow money from our friends just to pay for our food.
“Government please send us our allowances as soon as possible,” the student’s said.
Meanwhile, another student said, the delay has caused many difficulties to them.
“It has been weeks now since we were informed by Solomon Islands Law Student Association (SILSA) President that student allowances for 94 students have already been transferred to ANZ bank in Honiara on Friday, fortnight ago.
“Up-to-date no funds were received from this end.
“We don’t know who to trust and is telling the truth. Thanks to the kind and gracious hearts of some 100 plus students that got their allowances some 4 weeks ago, they have willingly lent some of theirs to our fellow colleagues,” the student reported to this paper.
He said the situation is now getting worse because the lenders want their money refund since they too running low of cash.
The student said it was also surprising for them to note that when the current list of students emailed from Finance awaiting their pending TT arrived, 17 other students were left out regardless SILSA executive forwarded their names to the national training unit.
“I therefore appeal and urge parents, guardians, families and friends to assist in whatever way they can to assist put pressure on the responsible authorities to facilitate allowances for the 17 students who are left out.
“We acknowledged and understand the current financial situation our government have been through but we badly need our allowances to help us survive on this foreign land,” the student pleaded.
Solomon Star understands responsible authorities are made aware of the issue and are taking all efforts to sort it out.
By STEPHEN DIISANGO
