THE Parliamentary Opposition Group is concerned over the late disbursement of allowances to Government sponsored students studying abroad.
In a statement, the Office of the Leader of Opposition informed that it has received complaints from many affected and disgruntled students in Fiji for non-payments of allowances which have affected the students badly.
“The Opposition Office received information that due to the late payment of these allowances, students were unable to pay their rental. Already some students have been issued eviction notices by their landlords while some have already been evicted of their accommodation. As well, some could not attend classes because they have no books and money to assist them,” the statement said.
The statement added the Government needs to address this issue with urgency and explain to the students why their allowances have been delayed.
The Parliamentary Opposition is calling on the Finance Minister and the Education Minister to urgently resolve the matter.
“It will be an embarrassment in the eyes of the international community when our Government sponsored students are left homeless and hungry in a foreign land,” the statement said.
In light of the students concern, the Parliamentary Opposition has questioned the DCCs $4 billion budget and why it has not accommodated for the students allowances.
