?I will definitely come back to the country because I want to give back what it has given to me?, say most of those who obtain a State scholarship. This is what they probably genuinely believe when they have just received their excellent results and are still in the euphoria of their success. However, reality is often very different, as many choose to remain abroad after their studies. Do they have the right to do so? Not really, but opinions vary even among those involved in the educational field.

When granted a scholarship, all students are supposed to sign a contract, which binds them to come back to the country after their studies. After all, the state is investing in them and considers that these students owe it something in return. But things are not as obvious as they may appear at first sight. Despite the bond, between 1995 and 2007 only 18% of laureates have come back to the country after tertiary education abroad.

So the ministry of Education appeared ready to take the bull by the horns and make it obligatory for the laureates to return. Last year, the ministry implemented a more structured monitoring system for the follow-up on laureates. It is even considered asking these laureates to reimburse the investment if they do not intend to come back and work in their homeland.

This is the case in the civil service sector or the private sector. If employees are granted a scholarship for a certain period of time, they are bound through a contract to come back and work in the company or public institution concerned. Failing which they must reimburse the costs of their studies in many cases.

But the case of the bond signed by laureates is quite different because the contract in itself has come into question on several occasions. The conditions of the bond have never been applied because its legality has not really been certified.

But if nothing has been done so far to try and strengthen its conditions, it is because the authorities have never managed to reach an agreement on this issue. In the nineties, the then Prime minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, expressed the opinion that the scholarships are only a way of rewarding those who have obtained the best results and that no one should deprive them of the freedom to remain abroad if they were presented with better opportunities.

But this stand is not acceptable for some ? particularly in view of the country?s growing need for a skilled labour force. Mauritius is known to have few resources and the people have been pinpointed as the best chance for economic growth.

<I>Educationist Surendra Bissoondoyal recommends a formula similar to that in countries like Singapore where students benefiting from a scholarship from the state are guaranteed a job as soon as they get back to the country after their studies.</I>

The director of the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES), Lucien Finette, does not mince his words: ?A scholarship is not a cash prize where winners are free to do whatever they want with their money. I find it completely legitimate that the State wants a return on its investment. It is not a lottery but a measure introduced to ensure the country?s future.?

As for the educationist Surendra Bissoondoyal ? also at the head of the Education Commission of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) ? the situation is not as simple as that. ?The government can?t force students to come back to the country if it does not offer them any opportunities at least for a short period of time.? He recommends a formula similar to that found in countries like Singapore where students benefiting from a scholarship are guaranteed a job as soon as they get back to the country after their studies. ?It is true that those benefiting from a scholarship will be studying with the money of the state so it is normal that they come back to work. But how can we force them if they have no guarantee that they will obtain a job?? he wondered.

According to him, it is hard for the government to do a follow-up on these students because many want to pursue their studies up to the doctorate level after their scholarship ends. So, it becomes even harder to keep contact with them afterwards. Moreover, ?many parents now encourage their children to remain abroad after their studies because there is no guarantee of getting a well-paid job here. So giving these students a guarantee could definitely help.?

The Rs 100 m spent on scholarships every year should force the State to reflect on ways of making sure its students come back to the country. As well as guaranteeing them a job, the State may have to reflect more on ways of reviving students? interest in and emotional attachment to their country?