5 Jun 2006

Calls for report into scholarship selection in Kiribati to be made public

7:56 pm on 5 June 2006

Kiribati's Former Secretary to Cabinet and opposition MP Dr Tetaua Taitai says the commission of inquiry report into scholarship selection must be made public.

A inquiry is being held into the latest selection of scholarship students to study at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

The probe came after it became public that students had been chosen who had failed the admission test while those who had passed the exam were overlooked.

He says the opposition will move a motion to ensure the outcome of the inquiry is highly publicised.

Dr Taitai says the commission of inquiry also extends to interviewing officials at the USP campus in Suva.

"It's quite a major issue for a lot of people. The scholarship is something that's very important to the local people. No one can afford this sort of education or training. But very few people can afford to send their own children to university."

Dr Taitai says the report will also show whether senior officials at the Ministry of Education interfered in the selection process.