The national president of TISI Sangam Fiji, Parveen Kumar Bala, raised concerns regarding the recent budget directives that limit schools to utilizing only 30 percent of their allocated funds. Speaking at the TISI Sangam Fiji Heads of Schools seminar in Lautoka, Bala questioned the logic behind this restriction, particularly in light of escalating project costs.
Bala emphasized that the organization is facing challenges with the budget announcement related to school funding. He called for clarity on whether schools would indeed be constrained to this 30 percent rule or if there might be an opportunity for broader use of the allocated funds. “If you can just highlight this and clarify whether the announcement that was made during the budget is going to happen, or whether there is a directive from the Ministry of Education just to use that 30 percent,” he stated.
In response, Divisional Education Officer West Napolioni Locoloco mentioned that schools had been informed about the potential for a more flexible approach regarding fund allocation. “If you have plans to utilize it, you may need to inform us with your detailed plan and inform the district office, and we will inform the office of the permanent secretary, and obviously, the minister,” Locoloco explained. This suggests that while there are constraints, there may be pathways for schools to request increased access to their funding for vital maintenance and repairs.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro added that this year marked a period of significant need for school upgrades and new projects. He reiterated that the handbooks for schools provide clear guidelines regarding grant utilization. “All you have to do is give your plan for how much of the grant you wish to utilize and get the necessary approval on the utilization of this grant for this particular project,” Radrodro noted.
The Minister specified that strict documentation would be required for schools wishing to use a larger portion of their grant for projects. This entails detailing the total costs for any repairs or constructions planned, reinforcing the need for transparency and accountability in fund management.
These developments resonate with ongoing discussions surrounding financial governance in Fiji’s educational sector. The Ministry of Education has recently highlighted increased flexibility in fund usage as a critical reform. The government intends to enhance accountability while promoting local discretion in school funding, thereby empowering school leaders to make more effective decisions that directly cater to their communities’ educational needs.
Overall, the conversation surrounding educational funding is evolving in Fiji, fostering a landscape where schools are increasingly encouraged to align their financial allocations with their specific requirements. This shift presents a significant opportunity for educational leaders to drive improvements in learning environments, paving the way for a more adaptable and supportive educational ecosystem in the country.
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