Title: The precariousness of Guinean students abroad: a scandal that persists
Introduction :
For several months, Guinean students who have chosen to continue their studies abroad have been facing numerous problems linked in particular to delays in the payment of scholarships. This precarious situation aroused real anger among students, who denounced the dysfunctions within the national external scholarship service (Snabe). In this article, we will return to the demands of students, the responses of the competent authorities and the impact that this situation has on the start of the academic year.
Payment delays that persist:
According to testimonies from Guinean students abroad, the scholarships awarded to them were paid with a considerable delay, from September to December. Furthermore, these payments did not take into account the revaluation initiated by the President of the Republic, thus doubling the amount of the scholarship. These delays and the failure to take into account the upgrading have placed many students in a precarious situation, forcing them to face significant financial difficulties.
The official responses and accusations from the International Federation of Guinean Students Abroad:
The director of Snabe, Mohamed Bamba Camara, responded to the criticism by saying that all scholarships had been paid to date. According to him, the delay is explained by work to clean up the lists, aimed at removing people who are not eligible for the scholarship. However, students dispute this explanation, saying that even those considered eligible are not restored to their rights. The International Federation of Guinean Students Abroad also denounces the fact that return plane tickets, normally covered by Snabe, are no longer systematically paid.
The consequences for the start of the university year:
Faced with this situation, a student union has issued an ultimatum to the authorities, threatening to disrupt the start of the academic year in October if the students’ demands are not met. This threat underlines the extent of the discontent and the desire of students to make themselves heard to obtain concrete solutions. The start of the academic year is therefore likely to be marked by disruptions, which will have a direct impact on students’ education and their ability to concentrate on their studies.
Conclusion :
The precariousness of Guinean students abroad constitutes a scandal which has persisted for several months. Delays in the payment of scholarships, problems linked to adjustments and the systematic non-payment of return plane tickets have plunged many students into a difficult situation. Despite the responses of Snabe and the competent authorities, the students’ demands persist and even threaten the start of the academic year.. It is therefore essential that concrete solutions are quickly provided in order to guarantee the right to education and improve the living conditions of Guinean students abroad.