15 December, 2025, 11:23 am Central - 23°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.

FEATURE NEWS
Flash flood and heavy rain warnings for the whole of Fiji
People are urged to take precautionary measures as a flash flood warning and a heavy rain warning are now in force for the whole of Fiji.The Fiji Mete...
14 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Bystander hailed as hero after wrestling gunman to the ground during Bondi Beach attack
A passerby seen wrestling and disarming one of the gunmen who opened fire at a crowd at Bondi Beach is being heralded as a hero as footage of the ...
47 minutes ago

Several roads and crossing in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki flooded and closed
Following recent heavy rain, several roads and crossings in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki are currently flooded and impassable.The Fiji Road Authority ...
58 minutes ago

Second suspect in Raiwai robbery arrested
The second suspect allegedly involved in an aggravated robbery outside the Raiwai Top Shop yesterday has been arrested.Police say the arrest was ...
3 hours ago

16 people have been killed in a shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach
16 people have been killed in a shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, which targeted the Jewish community, as more than 1,000 people attended an event ...
3 hours ago

18 youths graduate from Basic Poultry Production training in Vanua Levu
18 youths have gained valuable hands-on skills and new income opportunities after completing a three-week Basic Poultry Production course at the ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
3 days ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
3 days ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
7 days ago

TOP