The Ministry's treatment of Gambian students abroad, particularly in Morocco, reflects a troubling disregard for their welfare. The consistent failure to respond to communications is unacceptable behavior for a ministry tasked with serving its students.
“The burden of continually chasing the Ministry for stipends has exhausted the students, who will no longer remain silent,” the release stated.
“The future of Gambian students in Morocco is at stake, and we stand united in demanding that the Ministry fulfill its responsibilities.”
“The Gambian Student Association in Morocco, consisting of over 120 students across various institutions, is currently enduring a severe crisis due to significant delays in the disbursement of their annual stipends 2023/2024 academic year provided under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST).”
“These stipends, essential for covering basic living expenses for students, such as rent, food, water, electricity, and stationery are expected in May. However, as September begins, the ongoing delays have left students in dire situations, struggling to meet their essential needs while pursuing their education,” they lamented.
“Earlier this year, in February, MoHERST sent representatives to Morocco to collect student data, raising hopes for improvement. Unfortunately, the situation has only worsened, with students now facing heightened uncertainty and anxiety. We are tired of enduring this careless treatment, which threatens both our well-being and our academic progress.”
However, when this issue was brought before the Minister for MoHERST, Hon Pierre Gomez, at the National Assembly, Minister Gomez explained to the Assembly that according to their records, the Ministry received a list of students from the Gambian Embassy in Morocco, totaling 160 students pursuing various bachelors, maters and PHD programmes, in 2023.
He said the Ministry in the same year, May-June 2023, used that same list to pay stipends to all the students. However, in 2024, the Ministry used the same list to embark on a verification exercise prior to payment of the stipends.
“The purpose was for us to physically confirm and ascertain the number of Gambian students studying in Morocco and eligible for payment of stipends. It was observed that some of the students have been there beyond the stipulated time, and others will proceed to do master’s programme after completion without written clearance from the Ministry,” he said.
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