National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has rubbished calls for an investigation into funding for Pacific Polytech, saying the grants were lawfully approved by Parliament.
“The first point people need to understand is that budget allocations are based on submissions from organisations and individuals because the Ministry of Finance calls for budget submissions,” the former Finance Minister said.
He said funding for higher education institutions sat under the Ministry of Education, with oversight provided by the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC).
“Every institution — whether it’s USP, FNU, UniFiji, Pacific Polytech or smaller providers — sign a grant agreement vetted by the Solicitor-General’s Office.”
Prof Prasad said the role of the Ministry of Finance ended once Parliament approved the allocation, with supervision then resting with the relevant ministry and regulator.
“This is no different to grants provided to hospitals, unions or school management bodies. All grant agreements are vetted by the Solicitor-General’s Office.
“The registration of Pacific Polytech was done in 2022 under the previous government.”
He said Pacific Polytech took over failed technical colleges that collapsed after nearly $30million was spent on technical education initiatives that were later abandoned.
“Pacific Polytech essentially rescued parts of that system and has been funded through the 2023, 2024 and 2025-26 budgets based on submissions it made.
“If the Higher Education Commission has concerns about operations or qualifications, that is a matter for them to sort out.
“There is no need for a parliamentary inquiry or investigation.”
“You can’t close an institution that you yourself registered and which has already graduated thousands of students over the last three or four years.
“More than 95 per cent of Pacific Polytech students are iTaukei youth, many of whom had left school early and were previously unemployed.
“These are young people from villages and communities who are now skilled and working.
“This rubbish about investigations is just that — rubbish.”
