The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) Board has expressed its approval of the 2024-25 National Budget. According to a statement by Ro Teimumu Kepa, the TSLS Board Chair, the budget has increased funding for scholarship schemes from $148.2 million to $150.5 million. This speaks to the Coalition Government’s dedication to bolstering Fiji’s future through significant investments in tertiary education.
Ro Teimumu appreciates the Government’s forward-thinking strategy in dealing with the worldwide employment market trend, which sees developing nations experiencing a brain drain to more developed countries. She underlines the necessity for Fiji, being a developing nation, to make robust investments in developing talent to maintain its skilled workforce. Ro Teimumu believes the budget’s increased investment aligns with the Scholarship Priority Areas Report and the Human Capital Development Plan recommendations.
In the coming 2024–2025 financial year, Ro Teimumu stated that an unprecedented 10,830 scholarships, study loans, and grants would be allocated, representing a significant milestone for Fiji. This total includes innovative schemes as well as enhancements to current ones and provisions for 9,940 continuing students.
She also commended the enforcement of strict bonding measures to ensure a fair return on investment. For overseas students, the bonding period will be extended to 2.5 times their study duration, with half of the unsettled bond period attracting a penalty.
Ro Teimumu supports the policy of granting only two probations for students who fail to maintain the mandatory GPA, subsequent to that, they would be suspended for one academic term. This rule is expected to stimulate more earnest academic dedication and promote better pass and completion rates.