Discussions are still taking place on the proposed merging of all government scholarships into one and getting rid of race based scholarships.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama had earlier told Fijivillage that major changes are expected soon in relation to government funded scholarships as moves are underway to move away from the race based system.
For many years scholarships have been given out in two categories, one for only I-taukei and Rotuman applicants under the I-taukei Affairs scholarships and the other only for Indians and the minority community under the Multi Ethnic Affairs scholarships.
The Multi Ethnic Affairs scholarships are now under the PSC scholarship umbrella and the scholarships are being given out based on merit.
Permanent Secretary for I-taukei Affairs Savenaca Kaunisela said no decision has been made as yet on the I-taukei Affairs scholarships.
Commodore Bainimarama has stressed that the new criteria will be merit and need based, not race based.
The National Charter Council has also recommended to the government to move away from race based scholarships.
The People’s Charter has a vision that there should be merit based equality when it comes to opportunities.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Rusiate Baleilevuka
Feature
Discussions take place to get rid of race based govt scholarships