SIG finally pays student allowances at USP Suva after two weeks of classes

The government has finally paid through allowances for its sponsored students at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

Director of the National Training Unit, Selu Maezama, says the allowances were being paid through the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

"The allowances for students at USP Laucala Campus was paid through the Central Bank of Solomon Islands yesterday. The amount is FJD$ 2,061,675 for 495 students. The Central Bank has advised that the payment should go through yesterday."

Mr Maezama says the amount is for the first semester at USP. He acknowledges that USP had informed Solomon Islands government about the changes in payment for students allowances and other costs.

However, Mr Maezama says the delay in paying the allowances were due to the slow administrative process in getting the allowances ready and determining when the students were leaving for the institution.

Since the students' arrival in mid to late February, they have not received any maintenance or book allowances as the University of the South Pacific that usually pays the allowance upfront before being billed to the government has changed the payment of student allowances to be footed directly by their own governments.

As a result, students have not received any textbooks despite going into the third week of classes.

Source: SIBC