Five students still remain in Philippines
FIVE of our local students studying in Philippines are still in Manila due to VISA issues.
Speaking during the radio talk-back show yesterday, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Dr Franco Rodie said according to their record they still have five students in Manila.
“There is a couple, the wife and the husband with their two kids plus three other students,” Dr Rodie said.
He said, it has taken almost a year for these struggling students to sort out their VISA issues.
“However, they have to wait until the Philippines Immigration Department sort out their VISA despite our effort through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our High Commissioner office in Papua New Guinea.
“So, we are supporting them in terms of their welfare as well as accommodation,” he said.
He could not confirm whether they are government sponsored or self-funded students.
He said the government is trying its best to bring them out of Manila so that they can return to the country.
“Initially we are looking for this month but unfortunately the VISA issues are not yet sorted out.Hopefully by this month we can get some results,” he said.
Dr Rodie said in terms of their health, they have not been infected with the virus.
Most of the students studying in Philippines have been repatriated back to the country late last year and early this year.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
