M.P. calls for clarity in scholarship conditions

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 June 2018, 12:00AM

The National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) should clarify the terms and conditions of scholarships given to students to study in Japan.

The call was made by Member of Parliament for Falealili East, Fuimaono Teo Samuelu during Parliament.

He said the Ministry of Education as well as the university should explain all the terms and conditions to the students before they leave for Japan.

“What is happening is that the students are given a different explanation from the Ministry and the University than what is actually happening in Japan,” said Fuimaono.

“You see many of our children are dropping out of school and then they will look for their own air fares to return home.

“But families here do not understand what is going on.

“Many of the students they end up funding their own fees when they lose their scholarships in the first semester because the terms and conditions of the first semester is that if they don’t pass the Japanese language, they cannot continue with their scholarship.

“But the students weren’t aware of this when they were here, so when they fail Japanese language they are left hanging in Japan without their parents’ knowledge.

“So I urge the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, to please look into this matter.”

Outside of Parliament, Loau said Fuimaono is right.

 “I have heard the issue of what our children in Japan face.

“The Samoa Ambassador to Japan told me about the issue and that our children are suffering because they weren’t given a full explanation when they heard of the terms and conditions of the scholarship.

“The reason is that the university did not do their work properly by giving the students clarification as well as the terms and conditions of the scholarships.

“The students need to know of how much their allowance is and what they need to do in order for the scholarship to continue.

“So I will speak to the Vice Chancellor of the university and see how we can go about in fixing this problem and what he has to say about the issue that was raised by Fuimaono.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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