$778 million allocated towards education and skills development

$778 million has been provided towards education and skills development, the largest allocation in the 2024/2025 National Budget.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad stated this during the 2024/2025 Budget Address today saying it's not just about the dollars that they put in, it’s about the outcomes.

Prof. Prasad says they need to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools by ensuring that they have the best teachers, the right learning environment, the right curriculum, textbooks and other resources.

He says we need the involvement of our parents, communities, religious groups, development partners and other non-governmental organizations.

The Deputy Prime Minister says unfortunately, this partnership was destroyed by the previous Government’s bullying, dictatorial and micro-managing behaviour which seriously damaged decades-long partnerships built on trust which are the backbone of our education system.

He says we need to bring back these partnerships and inclusivity in the running of our schools if we are to make real progress in improving the quality of education in Fiji.

Prof. Prasad says given the state of affairs in the education sector, they cannot repeat the mistakes of the previous Government by bringing in haphazard changes and reforms without proper consultation and expert guidance.

He says that is why they initiated the National Education Summit last year and brought together our educationists and the best minds to assist.

The Deputy Prime Minister says they are also appointing an Education Commission, made up of experts to help the Government with an independent assessment of the current situation and the interventions that will be needed, including the timing and sequencing of these reforms.

He says in the current budget the Coalition Government has taken decisive measures towards reshaping the Education Sector.

Prof. Prasad says they are increasing the funding for the Ministry of Education to around $628 million.