Many students at Fiji National University are raising serious concerns as FNU accommodation rates have increased, while the allowance they receive through the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service has remained the same.
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 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.
Another student is imploring the university and the government to empathize with the students to consider their request to either reinstate the previous rate or come up with a lesser increase or to increase their TSLS allowance.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, 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 accommodation.
They say they increased the fee after a period of six years since the last revision.
FNU says 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 the proposed increases in rates went through the university processes such as consultation with the senior management, FNU Students 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.
