45 Eastern Equatoria State students, who were on scholarship in Ethiopia, have petitioned the state government over challenges they faced during their studies.
They were offered scholarships to do diploma programs in Education at Awasa University in Ethiopia.
They returned from Addis Ababa last week, after finishing their studies. They now say the government failed to meet some of the promises it had made.
The students want to be compensated but have not specified the amount. They delivered their petition to the minister of Education in Torit.
“The agreements sign between the state ministry of education and the parents and the students on the scholarship was violated by the state ministry of education,” Iya Beatrice, the students’ representative, told Eye Radio.
“The transport back home was always delayed, resulting in students stranded at the airport without feeding and accommodation.”
The state Minister of Education in Eastern Equatoria, Paska Hifita Oduho says the government delayed to respond to the needs of the students due to lack of hard currency.
“Even us the government we cannot access dollars” Mr Oduho said. “And to tell that we never neglected you, we endeavored to send one of our directors and he was with you.”