Government In-Service Scholarship Policy Being Reviewed

The Chairman for the Public Service Commission, Mr Josefa Serulagilagi says PSC will conduct a review on the impact of civil servants pursuing further studies through the in-service scholarship training programme.

Since its inception in 1974, the in-service scholarship and training has allowed civil servants to undertake training to improve their skills and continuously build their capacity within government.

Civil Servants who get  the endorsement of their Permanent Secretaries and finally are selected by the PSC are given scholarships as well as leave with pay.

“As government continues to up-skill its workforce through in-service training, it has become aware of the impact of having workers absent from their normal workplaces. Such absence, affects the continuity and efficiency of workplace performance,” he said.

Also, it is quite costly to provide scholarships and simultaneously release them on full pay. ”

He added these arrangements have financial implications on ministries and departments, especially in situations where officers proceed on study leave with pay.

Those positions they hold also do not get filled substantively during the period of the IR absence.

The review is expected to recommend improvement strategies for the administration of in-service scholarships awarded to civil servants; ascertain the effect on the continuity and efficiency of work normally performed by Officers when they leave for studies; the financial impact on the Ministries budget , when civil servants go on study leave with or without pay.

The Review will inter-alia recommend the percentage of civil servants that can go on study leave so that service delivery is not compromised.

It is envisaged that the comprehensive review will also look at the processes and criteria used in awarding in-service scholarship training to civil servants.

The review is expected to take 3 months.

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