2019/2020 National Budget: $800m allocation for Education ministry

THE Education Ministry has been allocated more than $800million for the 2019/2020 financial year.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this was to ensure that Government’s various programs under the ministry continued.

“Over $800million will go towards the education sector continuing our landmark policy of free education, free textbooks and subsidised transportation to schools,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“Those funds will come with a new lens of scrutiny to keep schools and staff more accountable to Fijian taxpayers.

“For teachers, we will be working with our University of Curriculum and Assessment for those entering the teaching profession.

“Teachers should no longer be considered as a default career option. It must be respected as a passionate (career) in all levels of education, particularly for early childhood and primary education. Teachers need to possess the right qualifications.

“Right now, many early childhood environments in Fiji more or less resemble day care centres than actually classrooms and learning centres.

“They need to become more conducive and education friendly.”

* Stay with us as we bring you brief updates from the 2019/2020 National Budget. More detailed reports will be published in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times and also in our e-Edition