A number of university lecturers who are all set to leave the country for scholarship programs asked the Islamic Emirate on Saturday to release their payments.

Previously, lecturers at public universities who were on scholarships abroad for master’s degree and P.H.D. studies were paid by the Ministry of Higher Education.

“Going forward, no lecturer will be able to go abroad for education due to economic problems,” said Naweed Danishyar, a lecturer.

“It would have been better if the lecturers were supported by the government,” another lecturer Fardin Ayar said. “I think, the suspension of salaries and other facilities for the lecturers will prevent them from post-graduate studies.”

“The families of the lecturers who get scholarships abroad deserve to receive the salaries,” said Arash Shaharpor, a university lecturer.

But the Ministry of Higher Education said the decision was made due to the lack of budget but said efforts are underway to overcome the issue.

“The Ministry of Higher Education is working on a plan to find ways for payments of the lecturers who are on master’s degrees or P.H.D. programs outside the country,” said Ahmad Taqa, a spokesman for the ministry. “I can ask them now not to worry about this.”

This comes as dozens of lecturers and academic figures have left the country after the fall of the previous government.