Opposition MPs yesterday called on Government to reverse course on its scholarship funding.Speaking for the Education Minister in the budget debate, Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons said that Government has decided to restrict the annual Bermuda Government Scholarships to a limit of $35,000 each to cover tuition and basic accommodation only.Shadow Education Minister Walton Brown said the eight Government Scholarships are meant to celebrate academic excellence.“I cannot understand how there could be a change in policy which says we are no longer going to fund your entire academic programme, we are going to put a cap on it,” said Mr Brown.Scholarship winners who get into top schools would be faced with expenses greater than $35,000 a year, he added.“You may well put in jeopardy the ability of that person to actually enter the programme to which their accomplishments have allowed them to get into. It seems to be a penalty imposed on those who lack adequate resources.So a scholarship that is meant to reflect academic accomplishment should have no impediment. It should be unfettered.”Government is also cutting back on funding for mature students by about $100,000.“We all know that we have the most difficult economic time since the Great Depression in the 1930s,” Mr Brown said.“It cannot be that this Government will seek to penalise those who, during these very challenging times, make a significance sacrifice to get back into training, that they will have less funding available.”He said “genuine equality of opportunity” is essential for strong, democratic societies. “Scholarships provide that. Academic funding provides the greater opportunity for those without capacity.“So I would encourage the Minister to rethink this reduction in budget allocation for mature student award, and likewise for the further education award.“These are for students who have need. There was always a component of need in the further education award. And it just seems unconscionable that in this era when students need more, we cut this programme.”He called on the Minister to “have a heart. Look at how these young people are going to be affected.”Mr Brown said he would not have been able to attend university had it not been for Government funding.This is the cornerstone of opportunity. This is the key factor in so many young people’s lives. It is a key factor for those who want to be retrained.”Dr Gibbons responded to Mr Brown’s appeal saying that the eight Bermuda Government scholarships were for top students who should have no problem getting additional funding if necessary through other sources.He reminded the House that the term of the scholarship would be increased to four years instead of three.And that the money was being reallocated to other programmes, not being cut out of the budget altogether.“We will have another kick at this can in the House because there’s legislation to come with this,” Dr Gibbons said.“This isn’t really quite as draconian a cut as I think people are making it out to be.”