Calls made to increase Free Education Grant and allow faith-based schools to charge admission fees

Calls are being made to allow schools run by faith-based organisations to charge admission and enrolment fees to help maintain the schools, and for the Government to increase the Free Education Grant for primary and secondary students, as it is currently insufficient to cover infrastructural development, capital works, and refurbishment.

While speaking during a public consultation on the Education Act 1966 at the Fiji National University, a representative of the Indian Association of Fiji and lecturer in Education at FNU says they would be happy if the grant for the primary school goes up to $250 per child and a different amount for different levels for secondary school students.

She also says the Indian Association of Fiji, which owns three schools, finds that there is a discrepancy in the salaries of head teachers and principals.

The representative says primary schools are more holistic, with children at formative ages and greater responsibilities for the head teacher; however, when salaries are compared, head teachers are paid significantly less.

She further says the quality of education can only increase if the quality of teachers improve and there is a need for the aptitude test for English to continue as the medium of instruction in all schools is English.

She also says the school management, especially in faith-based schools, be given more authority in decision-making and financial matters as they are not getting as much money from the government.

The representative also says school managers should receive allowances to acknowledge their voluntary service and help them in their transport needs.

She also submitted a proposal for the enforcement of the Teacher Protection Policy.