PUBLIC education funding must translate into better learning outcomes and reach the classrooms where children need it most, says Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.
Opening the five-day South Pacific Regional Education Finance Policy Academy in Nadi yesterday, he said governments needed to ensure every dollar allocated to education was used efficiently and equitably.
“Every dollar that is poorly managed or wasted is a dollar that cannot be directed towards a teacher, a textbook, a classroom or other support required by our children,” he said.
Mr Radrodro said effective education financing was essential to improving learning outcomes and creating better opportunities for children.
“Education is one of the most important investments any government can make.”
He said governments faced financial constraints and competing priorities, making sound financial management critical to ensuring education resources were aligned with national priorities.
Mr Radrodro highlighted Fiji’s Free Education Grant as an example for discussion, including whether funding reached schools on time, was used effectively and provided value for money.
He said funding decisions also needed to recognise the different needs of urban, rural, maritime and remote schools.
The minister said Pacific countries could no longer focus only on access to education, but needed to improve quality, learning outcomes and the skills young people required for further education and employment.
Fiji is hosting the second regional academy, bringing together education and finance officials from across the Pacific to strengthen education financing, financial management and policy implementation.
