The Ministry of Technical and Higher (MTHE) has discurbursed a total of Le 40,725 each to 13 sierra Leonean students currently on scholarships in cuba. The presentation, held on November 27, 2024, at the Ministry's conference room in New England Ville, sought to alleviate the students' ongoing challenges with stipends.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, reiterated the government's dedication to human capacity development and its commitment to supporting students abroad. She acknowledged the financial constraints often faced by the government, explaining that competing priorities sometimes delay the release of funds. However, she assured stakeholders that the government remains focused on addressing these delays to ensure timely disbursement in the future.
Dr. Wurie highlighted the unique challenges posed by U.S. sanctions on Cuba, which have impeded direct financial transfers to students. To address this, she proposed that students appoint a representative to receive the funds on their behalf, ensuring proper documentation to maintain transparency and accountability. The Minister also mentioned plans to organize support sessions for students in similarly sanctioned countries like Venezuela.
All 13 students on the Cuban scholarship are pursuing degrees in medicine, a field critical to Sierra Leone’s health sector. Dr. Wurie expressed gratitude to the Cuban government for its contribution to training these future professionals, underscoring the anticipated benefits to Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
Addressing Concerns
George A. Dambo, Acting Student Secretary at MTHE, assured parents and guardians of the Ministry's commitment to prioritizing student welfare. He acknowledged recent frustrations over delayed stipends, but stressed that the Ministry would continue disbursing funds as they become available.
Dambo also highlighted the Ministry’s recent efforts, including disbursing stipends to 10 students in Venezuela just two weeks ago. Currently, Sierra Leone has 405 students studying abroad in 11 countries, with over $927,000 disbursed this year to support their education.
Gratitude from the Community
Constance Bockarie, a representative of the Cuban Parents Association in Sierra Leone, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the financial support. She noted the significant achievements of Sierra Leonean students in Cuba, where over 3,000 have excelled in national exams. She also highlighted two Sierra Leonean doctors specializing in cardiology and orthopedics, one set to graduate this year and another in 2026.
Bockarie urged the government to maintain its support, emphasizing the potential impact of these students on Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector.
Freetown, 28th November 2024 (SLENA) – This initiative underscores MTHE's ongoing commitment to investing in education and equipping Sierra Leoneans with the skills needed to drive national development.
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