THE Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) believes it has delivered strong budget outcomes for the three ministries under its leadership in the Coalition Government.
Party Leader and Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro said SODELPA has appreciated the budget allocations received by its three ministries over the past three national budgets and welcomed the increased allocation for the Ministry of Education in the 2026-27 National Budget.
Mr Radrodro said the additional funding would help address challenges faced by the education sector, particularly in ensuring schools have teachers available on time and that suitably qualified teachers are deployed to classrooms.
He said the ministry remains focused on improving teacher welfare, student welfare and transport assistance while ensuring students remain in school.
“And with this new act, hopefully, that will also assist in ensuring that we provide education to all eligible students in compliance or working towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 and the National Development Goal,” Mr Radrodro said.
“The $200 back to school assistance is part of the social programs, social assistance that the government has considered to be also an important part in bringing our students to school.
“So we are appreciative of the continuation of the $200 back to school assistance.”
Responding to concerns raised earlier this year by teachers, Mr Radrodro said teacher retention had been addressed in the budget announcement.
He acknowledged that some teachers continue to leave for better opportunities overseas and within Fiji but said the ministry is working to improve their welfare through salaries and other support within the employer-employee framework.
“It has been addressed in the budget announcement.
“But the issue to retain teachers as we’ve mentioned that teachers sometimes leave for better opportunities abroad and also locally.”
Mr Radrodro added that the ministry is also investing in non-financial support, including training and professional development, to help maintain teacher welfare at an optimum level.
