Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro has moved to quash claims that the Ministry of Education overspent in the 2024–2025 financial year, describing public narratives as “misleading” and failing to reflect the complexities of managing Fiji’s largest public-sector workforce.
Speaking amid mounting debate and social media commentary, Mr Radrodro said the ministry was allocated $651 million in the national budget, with $14.3m later redeployed by the Ministry of Finance, leaving an operational budget of $636.7m.
The ministry employs around 13,800 teaching and non-teaching staff across Fiji’s four divisions, from remote highlands to maritime islands.
Confusion over expenditure arose after the Ministry of Finance sought Cabinet approval to write off $23.8m, initially reported as overspending.
Internal checks confirmed the actual over expenditure was $18.7m — driven largely by unavoidable costs tied to human resource obligations and Public Service Commission directives.
Major costs included $2.3m for salary upgrades for 296 officers, $3.6m for acting allowances for temporary replacements, and $4m for staff regularisation under PSC Circular 2/2024.
An additional $7m was spent on step-up adjustments for 4731 regularised staff, alongside overtime payments, senior management reinstatements, and recruitment of 13 school chaplains, all essential to maintain ministry operations.
Mr Radrodro acknowledged staffing pressures, including more than 500 new teacher appointments, rehiring following legal challenges, and the extension of retirement age to 60.
He said the ministry was grappling with years of inherited neglect, weak governance, and underqualified staff in key roles.
“Paying teachers what they are due and addressing sector needs will generate publicity, but that comes with the territory,” he said, noting that reforms are already showing results, with a 95 per cent pass rate for schoolleavers.
The minister confirmed a special audit by the Ministry of Finance has been completed and the ministry is awaiting feedback.
He thanked Fijians for their trust and wished students, teachers, and parents a successful academic year ahead.
