FNU justifies hostel fee hike as students raise concerns over unchanged allowances

Many students at Fiji National University are raising serious concerns as accommodation rates have increased, while the allowance they receive through the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service has remained the same.

However, FNU says they deemed it necessary to increase the hostel fees to keep pace with rising costs, including maintenance, utilities, and upgrades to improve the safety and quality of student accommodations.

A medical student at the Pasifika Campus, who is a National Toppers Scheme scholarship recipient, has told fijivillage News that the rate has increased from $1,200 to $1,800 per semester, or from $9.50 to $15 per day.

He says they receive $3,400 per semester and will now be left with $1,600 for food, transportation, and other educational needs.

The medical student adds students not on the National Toppers Scheme receive $2,500 through TSLS and would be suffering even more.

The 23-year-old student says this amount is not enough as the prices of food and other essentials have risen over the years, yet their allowance has remained the same.

The student also says that no reason has been given for the increase, and the Student Association has been raising the issue since last December, but the rate remains unchanged.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, FNU says they increased the fee after a period of six years since the last revision.

They say these investments aim to ensure that students continue to benefit from a secure and conducive living environment.

They say the university had engaged a registered valuer, to conduct a review of the hostel rates to determine the best rationale for the current market rate.

FNU says proposed increases in rates went through the university processes such as consultation with the senior management, FNU Student Association, the Financial Resources Committee, and the Council before a green light was given for implementation.

Questions have been sent to Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad.

Further questions have also been sent to FNU.

They are yet to respond.