"MTA (Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs) reserves the right to terminate your scholarship if a report is received from your institutes, or from a law enforcement agency concerning a breach of regulation"
Fijileaks Editor (editor@fijileaks.com): Who or Which Institution
reported the student's political activities?
Tavenisa Tofinga was with the regime-backed Fiji National University
Recall this story in Fijileaks on 14 April 2014:
"I own Fiji so you will get a six year scholarship. It doesnt matter if you had not applied or were rejected before - its called affirmative action for i-taukei students before the September general election. Its a gift from Fiji Theft Party"; with the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board, Dixon Seeto sanctioning the illegal bribe.
PDP leaderAnthony
PDP: Government Tramples on Youth’s Political Freedom; wants chairman of the loans scheme Dixon Seeto to explain why student was stripped of loan for supporting independent candidate Deo!
"The People’s Democratic Party condemns outright the denial of political freedom and rights to students who wish to participate in the political process of the country. As reported in the Fiji Times of Wednesday 28th May, a student’s scholarship has been terminated by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board for simply supporting or being an activist with the Independent Candidate Roshika Deo. This Government has denied a large section of our community from actively participating in the political process including Unions, NGO’s and public servants. This is plain denial of fundamental rights and must be condemned. Scholarships must be assessed on qualifications, need and academic performance solely and not on one’s political affiliation. This is clearly a case of victimization. I am sure that if any student supported the government’s yet to be registered party, the student would probably be given a five year scholarship at once. This decision by the Board will instill fear in our young people and discourage them from participating actively in politics. It is not good enough for the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board, Mr. Dixon Seeto to refuse to comment on the issue. He has accepted the position and must be made accountable for the Board’s decision or for following instructions from powers that be.The students and the people of Fiji deserve to know why the scholarships given are conditional on students remaining politically neutral or support only one party. On one hand we have this government saying that people over 18 years are free to vote yet on the other hand make it a condition to remain politically neutral if they have been given a government scholarship. Where is the sense in this policy? Our young people must be encouraged to participate in the political life of our country. The PDP has a policy and rule that 20% of all its office bearers must be youth. It will also have youth candidates in its election line up. It is important that we do not only pay lip service to our young people but include them in the mainstream of the political life of our country. I call on the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship Board to explain why the scholarship has been cancelled and why the Board has adopted a policy to deny fundamental political rights to our young people. The PDP urges the Chairman to reconsider this decision and ensure that the student’s academic progress is not hindered in any way by this unfair decision. His scholarship must be reinstated." - Felix Anthony, PDP Party Leader
"The People’s Democratic Party condemns outright the denial of political freedom and rights to students who wish to participate in the political process of the country. As reported in the Fiji Times of Wednesday 28th May, a student’s scholarship has been terminated by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board for simply supporting or being an activist with the Independent Candidate Roshika Deo. This Government has denied a large section of our community from actively participating in the political process including Unions, NGO’s and public servants. This is plain denial of fundamental rights and must be condemned. Scholarships must be assessed on qualifications, need and academic performance solely and not on one’s political affiliation. This is clearly a case of victimization. I am sure that if any student supported the government’s yet to be registered party, the student would probably be given a five year scholarship at once. This decision by the Board will instill fear in our young people and discourage them from participating actively in politics. It is not good enough for the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board, Mr. Dixon Seeto to refuse to comment on the issue. He has accepted the position and must be made accountable for the Board’s decision or for following instructions from powers that be.The students and the people of Fiji deserve to know why the scholarships given are conditional on students remaining politically neutral or support only one party. On one hand we have this government saying that people over 18 years are free to vote yet on the other hand make it a condition to remain politically neutral if they have been given a government scholarship. Where is the sense in this policy? Our young people must be encouraged to participate in the political life of our country. The PDP has a policy and rule that 20% of all its office bearers must be youth. It will also have youth candidates in its election line up. It is important that we do not only pay lip service to our young people but include them in the mainstream of the political life of our country. I call on the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship Board to explain why the scholarship has been cancelled and why the Board has adopted a policy to deny fundamental political rights to our young people. The PDP urges the Chairman to reconsider this decision and ensure that the student’s academic progress is not hindered in any way by this unfair decision. His scholarship must be reinstated." - Felix Anthony, PDP Party Leader
