BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Allowance for Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored students have already been paid in yesterday.
This should put to ease the frustration by many Solomon Islands students studying at various tertiary institutions especially in Fiji who have raised concern through the media over the delay of their allowances for this month, July.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary Dr Franco Rodie in an inquiry to his ministry received response that allowances for students were managed to be paid in yesterday (Tuesday, July 12).
Some understanding were made with the ‘Bank’ according to MEHRD on which they will be grateful if allowances can be sent in by this week for the students.
As PS Rodie directed media to do further inquiry to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) for explanation over the likely reason ‘why there has been delay in the payment of overseas based students under SIG scholarship’, no phone calls were answered by MoFT.
“You can also call MoFT to explain the likely reason why there has been delay in the payment of overseas based student under SIG scholarship,” said Rodie.
Meanwhile, few SIG sponsored students from Fiji have also confirmed receiving allowances yesterday which should ease frustration.
Earlier media reports stated that students who are currently in their examination weeks, were reported to have breakfast with only ‘water’ while attending their examinations, as there is also the other issue of landlords demanding rental payments.