The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) has announced a strict stance against “fabricated” claims from graduates regarding their inability to secure employment post-graduation. TSLS’s chief executive, Hasmukh Lal, stated that some students have resorted to emotional manipulation to gain permission to travel abroad.
Lal emphasized that while TSLS is eager to assist graduates in finding employment through their Employer Connect portal, those who fabricate stories about joblessness in Fiji are misguided in seeking help from the agency.
He clarified that students enrolled in the TSLS program are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week while completing their studies. Any student wishing to work part-time must receive prior approval from TSLS.
“If you are a full-time worker and a full-time student, we will investigate any reports of misconduct and take appropriate action according to the agreement,” Lal remarked. He reiterated that working full-time while studying full-time constitutes a breach of the scholarship agreement, which will result in immediate termination of the scholarship.
Lal noted that, to date, there have been no reported incidents of agreement violations, and the agency would only become aware of such cases if raised by the public. He urged that any requests for part-time employment must be sought through the proper channels. As of now, the TSLS has not received any public complaints regarding the issue.