Good news for parents, with the Free Education Scheme set to continue in the next financial year after the Government allocated $61 million in the 2026/2027 National Budget.
While delivering the 2026/2027 National Budget, Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel announced that $54 million has been allocated for transport assistance and $40 million for the $200 Back-to-School Assistance Programme.
He says an additional $74.5 million has been allocated for operating grants to higher education institutions.
Immanuel says the education sector has been allocated $883 million in the 2026/2027 Budget, the largest sector allocation, accounting for 18 per cent of the total Budget.
He says this includes $434 million for the salaries and wages of more than 13,000 teachers.
The Minister says the Government will introduce a new Postgraduate Diploma Scholarship Scheme to help meet changing labour market demands by supporting professional upskilling in priority sectors, while continuing funding for in-service public sector scholarships, apprenticeship programmes and technical skills training.
He says these initiatives will help address critical skills shortages, improve productivity and strengthen Fiji's long-term economic resilience.
Immanuel says $160 million has been allocated for TELS scholarships in the 2026/2027 Budget, benefiting 23,000 students, including 14,000 continuing students and 9,000 new students.
https://www.fijivillage.com/indepth/2026-2027-n
https://www.fijivillage.com/indepth/2026-2027-n