3,706 students are currently receiving lunch assistance

A total of 3,706 students are currently receiving lunch assistance facilitated by the Fiji Program Support Facility, which is sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Education Minister Premila Kumar says at the school level, individual schools are identifying students who need assistance, including the provision of lunch, stationery, uniforms and similar items.

Kumar says heads of schools and the Ministry have taken the initiative to liaise with various organisations and sponsors to assist their students.

She also reminded parents and guardians that the Government continues to provide support aimed at relieving parents of most of their financial responsibilities towards their children’s education.

Kumar further says since the reopening of schools from November 2021, a total of 257 students have been provided with psycho-social support adding that the provision of this support is still ongoing as the Ministry continues to receive students back into the school.

She also says the Ministry has trained 913 Child Protection Officers in schools and counselors to provide psycho-social support, as the Ministry recognizes that students may also require emotional and mental support

The Minister emphasised that the support was not being forced on children and whether they wish to receive such support was the choice of the students and their parents.