Guinean students abroad encounter serious problems with the national foreign scholarship service (Snabe). Indeed, many students complain of late payment of their scholarships, which plunges them into great precariousness. Faced with this situation, a student union even issued an ultimatum to the authorities, threatening to disrupt the start of the October school year if their demands are not met.
According to Aboubacar Sidiki Traoré, spokesperson for the international federation of Guinean students abroad, the scholarships were paid between September and December, but without taking into account the revaluation initiated by the President of the Republic. This revaluation would have doubled the amount of scholarships. However, Snabe director Mohamed Bamba Camara says all scholarships have been paid to date. He explains the delay by the states’ cleaning up work in order to remove people who should not receive a grant.
The situation is therefore at the heart of a controversy between the students and the Snabe. Students claim that even those considered scholarship holders do not see their rights restored. In addition, they point out that return plane tickets for students who have completed their studies are no longer systematically paid.
Snabe says it is in the process of reinstating students who have valid documentation, but this process appears to still be ongoing. The students hope for a rapid resolution of these problems, because their precariousness continues to worsen.
This situation highlights the difficulties encountered by many young Guineans who have chosen to continue their studies abroad. The issue of scholarships and support for students is essential to guarantee their academic success and enable them to fully contribute to the development of their country. It is therefore necessary for the Guinean authorities to take the necessary measures to resolve these dysfunctions and ensure adequate support for Guinean students abroad.