Govt should rescind decision regarding tertiary students immediately – Gavoka

The solution is clear - free tertiary education for all students.

That is the comment from SODELPA leader, Viliame Gavoka who is calling on government to immediately rescind the earlier decision by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board to raise GPA requirements for students under the National Topper’s Scheme.

Gavoka says the entire country is in the middle of an economic crisis that we have never experienced before and to justify major changes midway through an awarded scholarship based on grades is not just ludicrous but an abuse of the students’ rights.

He has also questioned as to what is the penalty on TSLB and the government for arbitrarily terminating or amending the terms of students’ loans or scholarships as when a student terminates a scholarship or loan, he or she is penalised by up to 200% on the cost of the scholarship at the time of termination.

The Chairman of the TSLB, Rakesh Ram had earlier stated that they will be looking at the points raised by students after Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had directed them to urgently review their decision.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the TSLB has made a hasty decision to raise GPA requirements, without government’s approval or consultation and some students found themselves unfairly suspended from the scheme.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the TSLB should have consulted government, educational institutions, and students.