Friday, December 16, 2011

Grenada’s Education Minister addresses Morocco issue


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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