TWO mothers of Wailea settlement in Suva plan to budget the $200 back-to-school assistance to ensure it is used wisely.

Announcing the rollout of the 2025 back-to-school initiative, Minister of Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad confirmed applications started on October 31 and close on December 6. The funds are expected to be disbursed on January 15 next year, which gives families at least two weeks to prepare their children for the school year starting on January 27.

Single mother-of-two Vinita said her husband died recently so the initiative would greatly assist her youngest child, a Year 8 student.

“For four years my husband suffered a stroke and I had to support him. He did receive social welfare, so that helped us a little bit, but life is really hard,” she said.

“My eldest daughter is 24 years old, and her husband works as a carpenter while my youngest is still in school.”

The 43-year-old works at a restaurant, and while her salary may not be much, she has learned to cut out unnecessary expenses.

“I buy books, pencils, pens, bottles, bags and other stationery but $200 is not enough to buy everything.

“We plan to use this assistance wisely to pay for my child’s needs and ensure it covers the cost for school stationery.”

Komal Narayan, a 36-year-old mother-of-five said only three of her children were attending school. She said she opted to buy affordable school items in advance then use the $200 to buy books, bags and school uniforms.

“My kids will go to school on Monday, and they will get the forms. We will buy what needs to be used for school,” she said.

“My husband is the only one working but sometimes he doesn’t work because of the rainy weather.”

She commended the Government for the initiative which assisted many low-income earning families.