PHILIPSBURG--According to the office of Commissioner William Marlin, there apparently was "something wrong with the advice" on the appeals of students who were denied scholarships, which resulted in this advice being sent back to the Department of Education.

Persons at the Education Department and the Study Financing Department could not elaborate on the status of the appeals. Calvin Mardembrough of this department said he did not have any information, but reiterated that once a student received an answer, all preparations would be made for a smooth transition.

However, at the moment he can only focus on 42 students who are scheduled to leave on Friday.

DP Island Councilman Roy Marlin said on Tuesday that it was not fair for parents to have to wait so long for a yes or no answer. Marlin, whose daughter was denied a scholarship and immediately appealed, said he wasn't concerned for political reasons, but rather for the position in which it put him as a parent.

Marlin explained that parents were basically left in limbo, not knowing what to do about their children's preparation for tertiary education. If the appeal committee rejects the appeal, he said, parents would have to hastily buy tickets, rent rooms, etc.

Marlin said he hoped his daughter's situation was not a case of political victimisation because of the party her father supports, adding that as commissioner he had never seen party colours when it came to students. "If others choose to do so now, then that's a horse of a different colour all together," he said.

Attempts were made to reach Commissioner William Marlin up to 6:00pm on Tuesday to ascertain the status of the appeals. However, the Commissioner could not be reached.