Pay what belongs to SISA or see you next week SIG: USP students

Government sponsored students of Solomon Islands at the Fiji-based University of the South Pacific have issued an ultimatum to the national government to pay up their outstanding allowances or they will return home.

In a press release, the Solomon Islands Student Council says the national government must pay up by today or expect a mass withdrawal and home bound exodus next week.

The non-payment of allowances has seen students being barred from using university facilities, including access to the library and the Internet.

Student's living off-campus are in conflict with landlords demanding rent and are also without basic means of transport to campus.

The Student Council's decision for students to leave the university for home was made during an extraordinary meeting held with around 700 Solomon Islands students earlier this week.

The Council reiterated that student's solidarity is intact and they will not waive their unanimous decision unless the Solomon Islands Government pay up their outstanding allowances by today.

So far the government is yet to pay two-thirds of students allowances for this semester one.

It is now eight weeks into the first semester of the 2008 academic year.

Source: SIBC