$180 payout for tertiary students has nothing to do with the USP grant - Kumar

The $180 payout for around 30,000 tertiary students has nothing to do with the Fijian Government withholding funds from USP according to Education Minister Premila Kumar.

As announced in the budget last night, tertiary students (regardless of whether or not they are TELS/ Toppers recipients) will receive the payment over a six month period, to be paid out in two phases.

Kumar says the payout is a genuine commitment by the Government.

She says the whole budget is about economic recovery for individuals from the cost of living which has increased significantly

Kumar also says the increase in the allocation for the Toppers Scheme is good news because it has come at a time when we are losing a lot of professionals to other countries.

770 slots are available under the Toppers scheme in the new financial year which includes 40 for MBBS.

The Minister says we need to build our workforce and we need more skilled workers.