Samoan scholarship students who have chosen to return home have subsequently deferred their awards until 2021. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (M.F.A.T.) announced the decisions in a statement late on Friday. 

The statement noted that some individuals who have returned, in particular final year students, have arranged to complete their awards through online studies.

“However, the majority of scholarship students who have chosen to remain and continue studies,” the statement reads. 

It also stated that the remaining students overseas are assured of continued support by their Institutions in whatever mode of learning the institutions are offering.

The Government of Samoa continues to be in close consultation with all the sponsor partners of the different scholarships programmes available to the students of Samoa, M.F.A.T. said. 

Students’ decisions were taken against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and taking into account students’ safety and security, the statement said. 

“Students continue to receive pastoral care and are provided with regular updates on the coronavirus situation and directed to available advice and support services within their institutions,” the statement reads. 

“The Government of Samoa has not directed nor issued an order for the repatriation of its scholarships students from any of the sponsor/host countries or institutions.

“It has however continued to vigilantly monitor the situation and cooperate with the sponsor partners and Institutions to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of students remain a priority and focused consideration, during this period of uncertainty.”

All of Samoa’s diplomatic missions abroad in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, Brussels, New York and student counsellor in Fiji are actively engaged to assist and support the students.