The Coalition Government received 224,825 applications for its $200 per child back to school support program and paid out $44.5 million to 222,682 eligible students, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad.
He said this in Parliament last week in response to a question from government MP Alitia Bainivalu who asked the Deputy PM to update Parliament on the one-off $200 per child back to school support payment to all students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 13.
Prof Prasad said within two weeks of the Coalition Government being formed, they recognised that families were struggling and going through a tough time.
“The Ministry of Finance rolled out the back to school support in January to assist parents and guardians purchase school items like school bags, shoes, stationery, books, lunch boxes and other supplies for the children for the school year 2023,” he said.
“The support for students in ECE, primary and secondary, up to Year 13, was provided per student basis for families earning less than $50,000 in combined annual household income.”
He said 50,671 student recipients were from Suva, 40,251 were from Lautoka/Yasawa zone, 39,902 from Nausori, 23,410 from Macuata/Bua zone, 16,231 from Cakaudrove, 16,091 from Ba/Tavua area, 15,042 from Nadroga/Navosa area, 11,571 from the Eastern Division and 9540 students were from Ra.
