BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Solomon Islands national university (SINU) has granted a one-month grace period for SIG sponsored students.
This grace period allows government time to cook up funds to meet the students’ fees.
Students under government scholarship can attend classes and access services for the first month of this first semester.
The permission was granted after Solomon Islands National University Students Association (SINUSA) met with SINU management last week.
SINU is aware that continuing students have not yet received their SIG scholarship payment.
There is also the fear of what will happen if the government fails to pay up by the one month’s end.
Through email dialogue with the ministry of education (MEHRD), SINU’s Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Basil Marasinghe encourages MEHRD to use its power to expedite payment of SIG scholarship fees of both SINU’s ongoing students and new ones.
“I trust that you will be able to use your influence and good office to kindly expedite the payment of SIG scholarship fees of the SINU student,” Mr Marasinghe said in an email to Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.
“I had granted the permission for the students to attend lectures for only first month of semester one 2018 during which they will have to pay their fees and get enrolled,” Marasinghe said.
Yesterday, SINUSA executive with their President Mr Reginald Ngati ran an appointment with the MEHRD to discuss the issue, to come up with alternatives to resolve students’ ongoing issue.
He said SINUSA will continue to advocate for students’ concern and have government to pay up the $12 million for their fees.
Meanwhile, he appeals to students to be calm and go to classes with focus and dedication towards their studies.
