Higher Education Ministry: Funds deposited to students abroad; they are not in a bind

Higher Education Ministry, on Monday, has assured that the government will not abandon students studying both in the Maldives and abroad with funding from the government.

Main opposition MDP submitted an emergency motion to the parliament on Monday which accused the government was failing to pay for the students of government loan schemes studying abroad on time. The motion, however, was rejected.

The Ministry, underscoring there are a total of 2,163 students studying in the Maldives and abroad with funding from the government, said the Ministry always undertakes efforts to deposit students’ course fee, living allowance and other expenses in a timely manner under the stipulated regulations.

However, the Ministry acknowledged that there have been times when there have been delays in depositing funds.

The Ministry attributed the delays in the funds to delays in receiving documents required by the Ministry and the time incurred to confirm that the students are continuing their education at the college or the university they have been enrolled at.

“As things are this way, we are also working on automating such services which the Ministry needs to provide for students and expedite the process of verification of whether students are continuing their studies in order increase the efficiency of services provided to students,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry also assured that the government will undertake all efforts necessary to ensure the studies of local students abroad are not interrupted over any reasons and in this trajectory, affirmed the government’s commitment to positively contribute to the development of students and ensure their participation in the development of the nation.