7 January, 2026, 12:39 pm Central - 30°C Rain

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.

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