Children from families facing financial challenges will have an opportunity to receive education assistance under the 2026 Child Education Support Scheme, with applications and case reviews now open nationwide.
The announcement was made by FENC Fiji Chief Executive Officer Priya Lata, who says the foundation is targeting between 6,800 and 7,000 children for assistance this year.
Lata says applications opened on 5th October and will close on 30th October.
She says FENC Fiji has assisted more than 45,000 children across Fiji since it was established in 2009 and currently has more than 6,800 children on its programme.
Lata says staff will carry out face-to-face applications, reviews and home visits in the Northern and Western divisions, while parents in the Central and Eastern divisions can visit their nearest District Education Office.
She says new applicants must provide their child's birth certificate, school reports, a confirmation letter from the school and income verification.
Lata says additional documentation will be required from single or divorced parents, including certification from a Justice of the Peace.
She says applications will be vetted by volunteers, with priority given to families considered most in need.
Lata says the selection criteria includes families with a total income of $100 or less per week, single or divorced parents, grandparents caring for children, unemployed parents, families with sick parents and children with disabilities.
She says selected children will receive a school backpack containing books and stationery, while those starting Year 9 will also receive a calculator.
Lata says FENC Fiji may provide assistance with uniforms and shoes in extreme cases following an assessment of the family's circumstances.
For children already receiving assistance, she says parents will need to provide updated school reports and a report from the school headteacher.
Lata says the foundation uses these reports to verify attendance and punctuality and identify any difficulties a child may be facing, rather than judging children based on their academic results.
She says the number of children receiving assistance has increased from around 3,000 several years ago to more than 6,000 currently.
Lata says FENC Fiji has also dealt with cases where parents have falsified information or received assistance from multiple organisations.
She says such applications are terminated immediately, while cases involving falsified information may be reported to Police.
Lata says funding and reaching families in rural areas remain major challenges, particularly when families change their contact numbers or cannot be reached.
She is encouraging parents who are unable to contact the foundation to visit their nearest District Education Office.
Lata says assistance for children selected under the scheme is expected to be distributed from late December or early January.
