Schools in Fiji can apply for building grant assistance of up to $50,000 to improve their facilities. Ilisoni Waqa, the Education Ministry’s principal education officer for asset and infrastructure, stated that both rural and urban schools are eligible to request these grants.
Waqa noted that the process is simple, allowing schools to utilize the funds to enhance their infrastructures. Schools need to submit quotations for the projects they wish to undertake, which must be procured through the Ministry of Education.
Forms have been distributed for schools to apply for this assistance, which has a deadline for applications set for December. All submissions must go through the relevant district and divisional offices before being endorsed and sent to the Ministry’s headquarters for consideration in the next financial year.
Last year, approximately 63 applications were received, and schools have been encouraged to reach out for assistance. Waqa mentioned that while not all requests received approval, some schools were allocated budgets to help those in need. The amount allocated to each school will depend on the specifics of the request.