Applications are now open for the 2025 Back-to-School Support program in Fiji, which aims to provide financial relief to low-income families to help cover education costs. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child misses out on education due to financial hardships.
The program, now in its third year, has successfully provided $87 million in support to families throughout Fiji. In the last budget, $42.5 million was disbursed to aid over 212,000 students, reflecting the government’s aim to ensure that every child starts the school year fully equipped with essentials such as uniforms, shoes, bags, lunch boxes, and stationery, all without placing a financial burden on parents.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 budget, an allocation of $40 million has been dedicated to assist families with a combined annual income of $50,000 or less, covering students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 13. The application process has been designed to be user-friendly, with forms available at schools and online, and support from teachers and school administrators to help verify application details.
The government is committed to covering the service fee, ensuring that each qualifying parent receives the full amount of $200. Payments will be processed through Vodafone M-PAiSA and Digicel MyCASH, with additional support for families in remote locations through Post Fiji.
Applications for the program opened today and will remain open until December 6, 2024.
This initiative not only demonstrates the Fijian government’s dedication to providing equitable educational opportunities for all children but also reflects a positive approach towards tackling financial barriers in education. By simplifying the application process and engaging with teachers for support, the program encourages community involvement and ensures that assistance reaches those who need it most.
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