SECTION 31 of the 2013 Constitution guarantees every Fijian the right to education including access to proper school infrastructure and learning facilities necessary to foster quality education at all levels.
In the 2016-2017 National Budget announced on June 22, this year, $448.5million is allocated to the Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts.
Of the total allocation, $424.9 million is allocated for operating expenditure while $20.1m is for capital expenditure.
In this business segment, we will dissect the allocation for this ministry.
* Free education program and initiative
As part of the free education program and initiatives, Government has provided $200m towards the free tuition grant.
This includes tuition free grant for Early Childhood Education (ECE) — $2.1m, Primary (Year 1 to Year 8) — $35m, Secondary (Year 9 to Year 13) — $31.4m and Technical Vocational Education & Training — $1.3m.
The ECE tuition grant per child which is $50 per term will now cover cost for three terms as opposed to two school terms currently covered.
Government has allocated an additional $0.7m for this initiative.
* Increase in salary grants for ECE teachers
An additional budget of $3.5m is also provided to cater for an increase in salary grant for ECE teachers who are paid in three categories based on qualifications as follows:
• Degree — increase from $900/term to $6,987/ annum;
• Diploma — increase from $600/term to $4,300/annum; and
• Basic training — increase from $400/term to $3,225/annum.
* Textbooks, milk
Government will ensure timely provision of textbooks to schools. A sum of $5.5m is provided in the 2016-2017 National Budget for the printing of textbooks for primary and secondary schools.
Funding of $3.6m is allocated in the 2016-2017 National Budget for free milk for Year 1 students.
* Location allowance for teachers
Another $8.4m is budgeted for location allowance for teachers, which cover expenses for teachers in remote and very remote areas.
* Rehabilitation costs
A large proportion of the ministry’s expenditure will be on rehabilitation works for the 495 schools affected by Severe TC Winston, especially in the Western Division, which was the worst affected.
A total amount of $142.6m (includes $132m under miscellaneous services) is allocated for the reconstruction and upgrading of existing schools, provision of school furniture and equipment, educational resources and other supporting services, including counselling.
* Transportation budget
As a continuing initiative to improve access to quality education for students having difficulty with transportation, $0.3m is allocated for the purchase of boat and outboard motor engine. These schools include: Uluibau Primary School (Eastern), Bau District School (Nausori), Susui Village School (Eastern), Cakova Village School (Eastern), Sawau District School, Navesi Primary School, Naikeleyaga Village School, Namuka-i-Lau District School (Eastern), Udu District School (Bua/Macuata), Druadrua Island School (Bua/Macuata), Kocoma Village School (Eastern) and Drekeniwai District School (Bua/Macuata).
* Digital literacy program
Government will ensure that adequate learning facilities are available for proper learning and development. A sum of $1m is budgeted in the financial year 2016-2017 to maintain and upgrade school buildings and institutional quarters.
Government has allocated $0.8m for the digital literacy program (DLP), previously known as one learning device per child program. It involves the purchase and distribution of laptops and tablets to Year 1 to Year 8 students in selected schools. A national framework for DLP has been developed to support the learning and teaching of digital software in schools. Since 2013, 729 primary schools have been assisted under the program.
* Development and technical training
Government will continue to promote skills development training of young Fijians through establishment of technical colleges. Funding support of $13.9m is provided in the 2016-2017 National Budget to cover the operating grant of 11 technical colleges.
These technical colleges are: Lautoka Sanatan Campus, Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Campus, Anjuman Hidayat-Ul-Islam Campus (Nausori), Macuata-i-Cake Campus, Ratu Epeli Ravoka Campus (Bua), TISI Sadhu Kuppuswamy Campus (Rakiraki), Tagitagi Campus (Tavua), C. P. Singh Campus (Navua), Dr. Shaukat Ali Sahib Campus (Nadi), Vanua Levu Arya Campus (Labasa) and Nabua Sanatan Campus/SHTT Campus (Suva).
* Construction of workshops
A total of $3.9m of capital budget is set aside for the upgrading and maintenance and construction of workshops, and the purchase of specialised equipment for these technical colleges. This will assist students in acquiring the specialised trade skills that are recognised in the job market.
* Loan scheme and national toppers
A sum of $42.5m is provided for the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme for the financial year 2016-2017. National toppers scheme will receive $10.6m with an additional 30 new places expected to be offered in the financial year 2016-2017. Other existing scholarships are provided with the budget of $4.3m.
* Employment taxation scheme
To encourage employment creation and availability of employment opportunities for students, Government has increased the employment taxation scheme deduction rate from 150 per cent to 200 per cent and also widened the scope to include apprenticeship in related area of study and employment during holidays.
* Other projects
Other major projects of the education sector in the 2016-2017 National Budget include:
• Grant to multicultural activities ($0.2m);
• New Bau Central College ($1.6m);
• Building grant for Heritage Schools — Delana Secondary School and Marist Covenant School in Levuka ($0.4m);
• Upgrading of Levuka World Heritage Site ($0.6m);
• Rehabilitation of Thurston Gardens ($0.2m); and
• Upgrade of Fiji Museum ($0.2m).
