Maseru- The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lejone Mpotjoane, issued a warning to the nation regarding the dangers associated with private international scholarships. These scholarships, often offered by legally registered and unregistered companies, have been attracting a number of students abroad, particularly to India, with promises of partial scholarships covering 50-60% of tuition fees. However, these promises frequently turn out to be fake, leading to severe consequences for the unsuspecting students and their families.
“Our ministry wishes to make the nation aware of the danger brought by private international scholarships. Many of these companies claim to have connections with various schools and universities outside the country. They tour schools and communities, tempting students and parents with the prospect of affordable education abroad. Unfortunately, when students arrive at these foreign institutions, they discover that the promised scholarships are not true, leaving them to bear excessive costs that their families cannot afford,” Mpotjoane stated.
The impact of these deceitful practices has been devastating. Mpotjoane revealed that numerous students, trapped by mounting tuition fees, face significant hardships. They are unable to leave the universities without settling their debts, leading to terrible situations where some students resort to living on the streets, becoming drug addicts, or even falling to be victims to human trafficking and prostitution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is taking active measures to combat this alarming trend.
“As a ministry, we are troubled by this situation and plea to the nation to be aware of the dangers caused by these untrue schemes,” Mpotjoane urged.
He showed that the scholarships provided by our ministry for studying abroad do not require payment beyond application fees and airplane tickets, all of which are clearly stated from the beginning. These legitimate scholarships can be accessed through the National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS).
Furthermore, Mpotjoane highlighted the involvement of current students abroad who assist these fraudulent companies in recruiting new victims in exchange for commissions.
China has also emerged as a country of concern, with numerous reports of fake scholarships targeting Lesotho’s students. Mpotjoane clarified that legitimate government scholarships are arranged while students are still in their home country, not once they are already abroad.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education are working diligently to address this issue and protect the integrity of Lesotho’s educational system. Mpotjoane called on parents, students, and the entire nation to remain vigilant and report any suspicious scholarship offers to the relevant authorities.
“We intervene by raising awareness and working together with the Ministry of Education to bring this to an end,” he affirmed.
As the nation navigates this complex challenge, it is important for everyone to stay informed and cautious, ensuring that the search of education remains a safe and rewarding journey.
