A concerned parent has called on the government to treat government sponsored students studying abroad and also at the Solomon Islands National University fairly.

Former Speaker of Makira/Ulawa Provincial Assembly Mr Goldie Kaea said SIG sponsored students studying at SINU have been unfairly represented compared to SIG students studying abroad.

He stressed that SIG sponsored student studying at SINU has always been second priority when it comes to students’ well-fare such as allowances.

“We heard student studying abroad always complaining of allowance compared to our students studying at SINU.

“What surprised me is that, why is the government always prioritising settling the allowance of our students studying abroad but failed many times to pay our students studying at SINU?

“What is so special about students studying abroad compared to students studying at the SINU?” Mr Kaea questioned.

He told this paper that almost half of SIG sponsored students studying at SINU are yet to receive their allowance for the first semester.

Mr Kaea said failure of government to settle students allowance has forced students to borrow as much money to sustain them while they do their studies.

He said the issue also caused major financial blows to parents and guardians who are trying to give the opportunity for their sons, daughters and relatives get higher qualification at SINU.

Mr Kaea continues to say that the government through responsible authorities also failed to reimburse student’s money who have registered under private scholarship but later awarded with government scholarships.

He said most parents are still searching for answers from the government and responsible authorities over this issue.

Mr Kaea said he is one of the parents who is still trying hard to get his reimbursement after his son was awarded with government scholarship months after he was registered at SINU as a private sponsored student.

He said it is time for the government to prioritise our own university with all the support the government has.