The Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Service (TSLS) has initiated a significant update to its operations with the implementation of the Travel and Bond Clearance and Recoveries function, starting January 2. This new responsibility was officially handed over from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FCRS) during a signing ceremony in Suva.

This change is designed to enhance convenience for students and graduates, as previously, they were required to go through multiple steps involving both TSLS and FCRS for travel release and bond clearance. FCRS CEO Udit Singh stated that over the past seven years, their team handled around 20 to 30 travel release requests daily, providing assistance to approximately 1,000 students. With this handover, FCRS will no longer process requests related to TSLS, allowing them to focus on other responsibilities.

TSLS CEO Hasmukh Lal highlighted that the transfer of duties aims to streamline processes, reducing the turnaround time for bond clearance from 5-7 working days to just 1-3 days. This is part of TSLS’s commitment to improving service delivery, including plans to collaborate with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) for information sharing, which will further facilitate the bond clearance process. Students will need to provide evidence of employment through an FNPF statement to apply for bond clearance, simplifying the previous requirements.

This move can be seen as a significant step toward modernizing the educational financing landscape in Fiji, improving the efficiency of processes that directly impact students’ mobility and responsibilities after their academic tenure. By making these adjustments, TSLS is not only easing the burden on students but also enhancing operational efficiency.

Moreover, this change reflects a broader commitment by the government to support student welfare and ensure that financial obligations are manageable. As TSLS evolves in its role, it aims to provide better service and ensure transparency in educational financing, ultimately fostering a more accountable and student-friendly environment in Fiji’s higher education sector.