STUDENTS that were unfortunate to study this semester at the University of the South Pacific (USP) under the Solomon Islands government (SIG) scholarship have arrived last Sunday from Fiji.
A total of 59 local students studying at USP were terminated by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) under the National Training Committee (NTC), the body that is responsible to award and terminate scholarship offers.
Reports received by the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) president, Anthony Maelasi confirmed that only 24 students from the list of 59 terminated scholars have returned.
“Only confirmed 24 students are returning, while the rest will remain as self-sponsored students this semester.
“Their parents will pay for their tuition and living expenses while studying here,” Mr Maelasi said.
The president added that SISA is also appealing to the parents and supporters of the concerned students to stand with them in their difficult times.
“SISA is appealing to parents and supporters of the returning students to stand with them in this difficult time.
“It is a very difficult situation for most of the students.
“Make sure their studies is not great disrupted but provide a more supportive environment for them to continue on with their studies this semester if possible with the USPSI campus, in Honiara,” Mr Maelasi said.
Meanwhile, this paper understands that the number of SIG terminated students is decreasing year by year since the policy came into effectiveness some years back.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
