Applications for the 2025 Back-to-School Support program have officially commenced, reaffirming the Fijian Government’s dedication to providing financial assistance to help low-income families manage education costs. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, highlighted the importance of alleviating financial burdens on families, emphasizing, “We believe no child should miss out because of financial difficulties.”
The initiative, now in its third year, aims to ensure that every child in Fiji has the necessary supplies to begin the school year—including uniforms, shoes, bags, lunchboxes, and stationery—without parents worrying about associated costs. To date, the program has allocated a substantial $87 million in support to families throughout Fiji.
In the previous budget, $42.5 million was distributed to aid 212,740 students under this initiative. Moving forward, the 2024-2025 budget has set aside another $40 million specifically for families with an annual income of $50,000 or lower, providing support to students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) through Year 13.
To facilitate a smooth application process, forms are readily available at schools and online. Professor Prasad encouraged teachers and school heads to assist parents in completing and submitting their applications on time. Additionally, he confirmed that the government would cover service fees, ensuring that every participating parent receives the full benefit of $200.
“With this program, we demonstrate our commitment to providing every Fijian child with equal educational opportunities,” Professor Prasad stated, noting that payments would be made through Vodafone M-PAiSA and Digicel MyCASH services, with Post Fiji offering assistance to families in remote regions.
The application period is open now and will remain available until December 6, 2024.
This initiative is a significant step towards making education more accessible and affordable for all families in Fiji, reflecting a hopeful investment in the future of its children. The program not only addresses immediate financial concerns but also helps ensure that children from all backgrounds have a fair start to their educational journeys, fostering long-term positive impacts on the community.
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