Scholarship student's misconduct brought before Scholarship Board

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is disturbed and sadden that though semester one studies have not yet begun a Government-sponsored student in Fiji is awaiting discipline for damaging property when allegedly drunk.

Just Wednesday last week the group of scholarship awardees for Fiji left Port Vila, the student was taken in two days later for questioning by the security of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus following a broken glass wall punched on the ANZ ATM at the campus bank branch.

The President of the Vanuatu Students Association commented on information posted on Yumi Toktok Stret facebook group that the USP Disciplinary Committee is fully aware of the incident and will deal with the student. The identity of individual and island of origin were not disclosed.

The MoET through the Director of Education said this discipline case will be dealt with by the National Scholarship Board. He stressed the MoET condemned such student’s irresponsible behaviors.

Director Obed labelled the misconduct as an act of waste of resources saying the ministry will not hesitate withdrawal for any student misbehavior that violated the laws of Fiji for undermining privilege.

“In all our (the MoET) briefings held every year, the minister and officials repeatedly encourage all scholarship awardees to be good ambassadors abroad and to make use of their “golden opportunities”, said the director.

The Minister of Education Bob Loughman has strongly advised all awardees during briefings not to get drunk but to consider studies as first priority.

Director Obed continued: “We told them (the awardees) that their studies are funded by the people of Vanuatu, from Hiu to Aneityum thus, their characters and how they behave outside the campus must reflect the real image of Vanuatu.

“Students are encouraged to socialize but to a limit.

“We told them universities are a door to knowledge and information and that they must use their time wisely by exposing themselves in panel discussions or international forums and joining convenient associations in campus to discuss issues affecting the pacific and Vanuatu,” the director added.

The Education Attaché in Suva, Johnson Vora, announced regarding the issue on social media that the Vanuatu High Commission and Ministry of Education have conducted a de-briefing exercise attended by the 300 students in Fiji after the incident. He said equipping students with necessary information transform attitudes is a must.

Director Obed added that all scholarship students, be it Vanuatu Government sponsored, China, AusAID or NZaid are provided with more than enough funds for living, therefore everyone is expected to manage funds well, eat well, and stay healthy at the same time prioritizes studies.

MoET will continue to monitor the behaviors and performances of all Vanuatu Government sponsored students very closely.