By: Binta Jaiteh
The Gambian Embassy in China has responded to recent claims by some Gambian students who are facing possible expulsion over tuition arrears in China.
The embassy came up with a statement pursuant to instructions received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad in response to recent media allegations by certain Gambian students concerning scholarship assistance.
It could be recalled that the ‘Gambian Students in China (GSIC)’, who were facing possible expulsion from their respective institutions after tuition arrears remained unsettled, were featured in the media.
According to the embassy, out of a total of over one hundred and thirty (130) Gambian students currently in the People’s Republic of China, only ten (10) students are affected by the specific scholarship-related issues that have been the subject of recent media reports.
“Any attempt to portray this matter as affecting the broader Gambian student population in China is therefore grossly misleading and factually incorrect,” the statement noted.
The statement outlined that the affected students travelled to China on their own initiative under self-sponsorship arrangements.
“They were not beneficiaries of government-to-government scholarships or ministry or institution facilitated sponsorships at the time of their arrival. This critical fact has been omitted in public narratives and has contributed significantly to the misrepresentation of the situation,” the embassy added.
It was further stated that the embassy extended support and advocacy on behalf of the students to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology through official diplomatic channels, adding that these efforts included formal correspondence, follow-ups, consultations, and the provision of guidance to the students even though their initial status fell outside formal scholarship frameworks.
“The embassy and by extension the Government of The Gambia, therefore categorically reject the allegation that no definitive resolution has been achieved, as if the students were prepared and sent by the Government of The Gambia. Such claims are false, misleading, and inconsistent with the documented actions undertaken by the Embassy within the scope of its mandate and diplomatic practice.”
The embassy disclosed that the students’ academic year 2025-2026 have already been disbursed, noting that the remaining matter pertains solely to the tuition component of the 2025-2026 Academic Year to be settled by the Government of the Gambia.
However, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology has encountered delays attributable to budgetary cycles and prevailing fiscal constraints arising from competing national priorities.
“It regrets that instead of acknowledging the support already rendered by Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, and failure to adhere to the advice of the embassy by engaging constructively through established channels, certain individuals chose to resort to the media and being economical with the facts,” the statement noted.
Acting strictly in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy remains committed to the welfare of Gambian nationals in China and will continue to provide assistance within the limits of its responsibilities, vowing not to accept attempts to undermine its integrity or that of the Government of The Gambia through misinformation or public pressure tactics.
