ST
GEORGE’S, Grenada, December 16, 2011 - The Following is a message from Minister
for Education and Human Resource Development, Senator Franka Bernadine regarding
Grenadian students on Scholarship in Morocco:
As Minister for Education and Human
Resource Development I would like to share the following information with the
general public.
In 2010 the Government of Grenada secured
twelve (12) scholarships for Grenadian students to study Undergraduate and
Graduate Programmes in Morocco.
In 2011 fifteen (15) Grenadian students
travelled to Morocco to commence their studies.
Therefore, Grenada has twenty seven (27) students presently studying in
Morocco.
On 21st November 2011, it was
brought to our attention that one of the 2011 students was attacked by two (2)
Moroccan men and robbed of her cell phone, while she was on her way to church
of the 20th November 2011.
The student sustained minor injuries and was obviously shaken up by the
incident.
The incident occurred very
quickly and before the other Grenadian and Dominican students, who were also
going to church, could come to her assistance the men ran off. The student’s minor injuries were well taken
care of immediately.
The incident was brought to the attention
of the Moroccan Authorities, including the Consulate who is assigned to address
any matter pertaining to our Grenadian students, and the necessary actions were
taken.
The Permanent Secretary for the Human
Resource Development Division and Scholarship Desk, who has monitored this
situation and continues to be in contact with all concerned, spoke to and
reassured the student in Morocco and her relatives in Grenada.
Prior to our students leaving Grenada for
study abroad the Division executes a full week training programme which
includes cultural adjustment, health and safety measures and dealing with
emergency situations.
I want to assure the general public that
the information circulating in some areas of Grenada, detailing that a
Grenadian student in Morocco was severely chopped and injured during an attack,
is false and tantamount to malicious rumor. Additionally, that the Government
of Grenada offered the students scholarships and then abandoned them is far
from the truth.
Our 2011 students had to await all the
administrative transactions prior to starting their classes. However, they have all commenced the French
Language component of their studies, before progressing to their respective
subject areas in 2012.
The Human Resource Development Division
& Scholarship Desk has an established 24/07 communication network in place
for all students studying abroad, should any level of communication be
necessary.
Things may go wrong from time to time. However, we MUST ascertain the facts before
spreading information and avoid possible very negative impact and outcomes.
As we strive to further develop our human
resources, to strengthen our individual citizens and our socio-economic
development, I implore you Parents, Guardians and the General Public to work
collaboratively with us to give our young people the critical and necessary
support and understanding.
SOURCE: Wendy Chasteau - Ministry of
Education and Human Resource Development
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