A total of 42 schools did not receive the Free Education Grant in 2025 after failing to comply with Ministry of Education requirements.
The figures were revealed by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro in a written response tabled in Parliament to a question from MP Hem Chand.
Radrodro said the affected schools comprised 35 primary schools and seven secondary schools.
The Eastern District recorded the highest number, with 24 schools — 20 primary and four secondary — missing out on the grant.
Lautoka/Yasawa followed with seven schools, while Nadi/Nadroga had three. Macuata/Bua, Cakaudrove and Nausori each recorded smaller numbers of non-compliant schools.
“Free Education Grant disbursement is subject to schools meeting the Ministry’s financial management and accountability requirements,” Radrodro said.
However, the Minister said the number of schools failing to qualify for the grant had fallen significantly compared with previous years.
In 2022, 158 schools — 117 primary and 41 secondary — were non-compliant and did not receive the grant during that academic year.
Radrodro said grant conditions include completing student-number audits each term on FEMIS, updating monthly bank reconciliations, submitting annual financial reports and providing annual general meeting minutes.
The Ministry is also reviewing the School Management Handbook in line with the Education Act 2026 to improve accountability and transparency in the use of Free Education Grant funding.
