Economic crisis in RS: Government reduces number of scholarship holders studying abroad

The Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska has published a preliminary ranking list of scholarship holders for first, second, and third cycle studies abroad, according to which 50 scholarships will be awarded.

The Commission for awarding scholarships has proposed that 21 scholarships be awarded to students of the first cycle of studies abroad, two scholarships to students of the second cycle of studies, and 27 scholarships to students of the third cycle of studies.

The budget of Republika Srpska has planned a total of 191,000 marks for scholarships for students studying abroad. Specifically, each student who has received a scholarship from the Government of RS will receive about 300 KM per month. Recipients of this scholarship must not receive any other scholarship.

Dissatisfaction can be seen among the students. For some of them, even an average grade of 9.4 was not enough to receive a scholarship from the Government of RS. They do not accept the Government's response that the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska is shaken by a severe economic crisis. They warn that the Government is uncontrollably spending money on less important things than education.

During the 2014/2015 school year, the Government provided scholarships to 71 students studying abroad, the following year 70 students were awarded scholarships, and for the next year, 50 students from RS studying abroad will receive scholarships, writes Patria.