The Tertiary Scholarship and Loan Services (TSLS) has allocated $1.44 billion to support around 70,000 students over the past decade, demonstrating a significant commitment of taxpayer funds to Fiji’s education sector. This financial support has played an important role in enhancing tertiary education and training programs, underscoring the government’s dedication to higher education.
In a statement to Parliament, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro highlighted that while all students who met the academic criteria at any tertiary institution were once eligible for loans, that is no longer the case. He noted that many students are now privately enrolled in various university programs because they did not qualify for scholarships or loans, with approximately 19,000 students affected.
Radrodro explained that the former administration had created a sustainable funding model for tertiary education, which included a revolving fund aimed at assisting future students pursuing higher education. However, he criticized the current government’s financial model as unsustainable, reporting that taxpayers are now contributing about $150 million each year towards tertiary education.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that the government has imposed a 50 percent penalty on students who forfeit their bonds in order to seek opportunities abroad.