Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro says the Ministry is reviewing expenditure under the yellow card bus fare subsidy after notable excessive claims by bus companies, with some claims appearing to exceed the number of students recorded by the Ministry of Education.
While supporting the 2026-2027 National Budget in Parliament, Radrodro highlighted that the Government has allocated $54 million for student transport assistance, which will benefit 114,738 students across the country.
He says the funding will assist 70,550 students using blue cards and 44,178 students receiving Rural Service Licence (RSL) vouchers.
He says about 46,995 yellow card users currently benefit from the Government's 50 percent bus fare subsidy, which costs an average of $535,000 per month.
However, Radrodro says the Ministry is reviewing expenditure under the yellow card subsidy as part of measures to strengthen fiscal discipline.
INSERT: Radrodro on subsidy 14th July
He says the Ministry is reviewing the Student Transport Assistance Policy to strengthen administration, improve accountability and ensure assistance continues to reach students who need it most.
He adds that the review will also consider the circumstances of students travelling long distances, particularly those living in remote and maritime communities served by Fiji's 684 Rural Service Licence providers.
On teachers, Radrodro acknowledged ongoing payroll issues, saying there have been cases where teachers have not received their salaries and allowances despite already being in schools.
He says this includes delays in the payment of acting allowances due to HR and finance processing within the Ministry.
He says the Ministry has struggled with questionable appointments and possible abuse of the system, and warned that the issue will continue if it is not addressed and the right people are not put in place to curb leakages and mismanagement at the Ministry's headquarters.
Radrodro says the Ministry has now been tasked with working with the Ministry of Civil Service and the Ministry of Finance to formalise the anomalies and discrepancies that have affected the education sector over recent years.
He also says the Ministry, through its divisional education officers, is reviewing the deployment of teachers across schools.
He says while teacher shortages are often raised, audits have shown that some schools have sufficient teachers but are not utilising them properly, adding that these issues are being addressed with school heads.
The Minister says the Government continues to support boarding schools through the Per Capita Boarding Grant, with $391,304 allocated for eligible primary boarding schools and $349,239 for eligible secondary boarding schools.
Radrodro says the Government has allocated $630,000 for the Menstrual Hygiene Management Programme which will supports the health and well-being of female students and help remove barriers that may affect regular school attendance and participation.
He says $5.3 million has been allocated for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which will provide students with practical skills, create employment opportunities and support national economic development by producing graduates who are ready to enter the workforce.
Radrodro says it has been the greatest honour and a privilege to serve the nation as he approaches the end of his tenure as Education Minister.
He thanked teachers, the two teacher unions and school administrators for their dedication to the education sector.
He also acknowledged students, parents, guardians and everyone who supports the education sector.
Radrodro thanked the staff and support team of the Ministry of Education for their commitment and endurance throughout his tenure.
He says he will always look back on his time leading the Ministry with gratitude, adding that the experience has been one of growth and service.
