5 December, 2025, 5:38 pm Central - 27°C Clouds

Applications open tomorrow for $200 Back-to-School support

Applications open tomorrow for $200 Back-to-School support

By Nilufa Buksh
10/11/2025

Families will be able to apply for the $200 Back-to-School Support Programme for next school year from tomorrow giving families five weeks to complete the process.

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says $40 million has been allocated in the 2025–2026 National Budget for the programme, aimed at easing financial burdens for families and ensuring that every child begins the new school year fully equipped.

He says that this assistance will be available to students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 13, whose families have a combined annual income of $50,000 or less.

Immanuel emphasizes that applications close on 12 December 2025. He further states that parents and guardians can obtain application forms from schools or download them from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance websites.

He further adds completed forms must be submitted to the child’s school for verification, with school heads required to upload all verified applications onto the FEMIS system by 12 December 2025 adding, each student must submit a separate application form.

Immanuel further notes that payments will be made via Vodafone M-PAiSA and Digicel MyCash beginning Friday, 16 January 2026, while for maritime families without mobile network access, Post Fiji will distribute payments through Telegraphic Money Orders.

The Minister for Finance also expresses concern regarding past cases involving false applications and tampering with the FEMIS system, adding that school heads will be held accountable for the accuracy of all information submitted. A Back-to-School Helpline has been established to assist familie

Families will be able to apply for the $200 Back-to-School Support Programme for next school year from tomorrow giving families five weeks to complete the process.

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says $40 million has been allocated in the 2025–2026 National Budget for the programme, aimed at easing financial burdens for families and ensuring that every child begins the new school year fully equipped.

He says that this assistance will be available to students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 13, whose families have a combined annual income of $50,000 or less.

Immanuel emphasizes that applications close on 12 December 2025.

He further states that parents and guardians can obtain application forms from schools or download them from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance websites.

He further adds completed forms must be submitted to the child’s school for verification, with school heads required to upload all verified applications onto the FEMIS system by 12 December 2025 adding, each student must submit a separate application form.

Immanuel further notes that payments will be made via Vodafone M-PAiSA and Digicel MyCash beginning Friday, 16 January 2026, while for maritime families without mobile network access, Post Fiji will distribute payments through Telegraphic Money Orders.

The Minister for Finance also expresses concern regarding past cases involving false applications and tampering with the FEMIS system, adding that school heads will be held accountable for the accuracy of all information submitted.

A Back-to-School Helpline has been established to assist familie

He further adds completed forms must be submitted to the child’s school for verification, with school heads required to upload all verified applications onto the FEMIS system by 12 December 2025 adding, each student must submit a separate application form.

Immanuel further notes that payments will be made via Vodafone M-PAiSA and Digicel MyCash beginning Friday, 16 January 2026, while for maritime families without mobile network access, Post Fiji will distribute payments through Telegraphic Money Orders.

The Minister for Finance also expresses concern regarding past cases involving false applications and tampering with the FEMIS system, adding that school heads will be held accountable for the accuracy of all information submitted.

A Back-to-School Helpline has been established to assist families with the application process. Parents can contact 9980079, 9986069, 3220551, or 3314477 from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4.30pm.

FEATURE NEWS
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
33 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
5 minutes ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
17 minutes ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
1 hour ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
3 hours ago

Family left homeless after house fire in Navicula Village, Korovou
A family is left homeless after a property fire completely destroyed their one-bedroom home in Navicula Village, Korovou, on Wednesday afternoon.The ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
8 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
8 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP