PERMANENT Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Education Dr Franco Rodie has encouraged self-sponsored students of North Vella La Vella in Western Province studying at both Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and University of the South Pacific Solomon Islands Campus (USPSI) to get good grades with high GPA score so that they can obtain government scholarship.
He said this is because government scholarship is limited and those who score high GPA are being awarded with scholarship.
He made the remarks when delivering his speech as a guest to the North Vella self-sponsored students’ fundraising drive at the Cowboys Grill Bar and Restaurant East Honiara on Saturday night.
“The government scholarship is vigorous and selective; therefore only those who have high GPA will be awarded with scholarship. Also the scholarships are limited; they are not many, so the fortunate one can have a scholarship,” he said.
Dr Rodie said some North Vella students have applied for scholarship but were unable to secure anyone.
“Some of you have applied for several times, yet you are unable to obtain any scholarship because government have to pick students with high GPA,” he told the students.
Meanwhile, Dr Rodie was impressed with the initiative by the North Vella Student Association (NVSA) despite of not obtaining any scholarships they do not stress their parents but came with a plan to raise money on their own to pay for their invoice fees.
The students organised the fundraising drive with the support of their Member of Parliament (MP) Clezy Rore.
“I am delighted to note despite of hardship in your fees you have pushed to the limit so that you can complete your education.
“I know you want to build a good future for yourselves.
“The fact that you never obtain government scholarship, you do not stop there but find ways to pay for your own school fees to continue with your education,” he said.
The fundraising event was a classic example that the students have push to their limit to support themselves rather than asking their government and parents to support them in paying for their tuition fees.
Dr Rodie who is also from Vella encourages the self-sponsored students to struggle hard in their education so that they too can obtain government scholarship in the future.
“Keep pushing until you achieve your dream,” he seriously told the students.
Dr Rodie took time to thank government ministries, private business and companies, government entities, Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs and North Vella MP Clezy Rore, MP for Marovo Chacha Bule, major sponsors of the vent and people of Vella La Vella who turned out to support the self-sponsored students during their fundraising drive event.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
