5 December, 2025, 5:37 pm Central - 27°C Clouds

Free Education Grant delay impacts classroom teaching - Manumanunitoga

Free Education Grant delay impacts classroom teaching - Manumanunitoga

By Iliana Biutu
19/10/2024
Fiji Teachers Association General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga and Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca

Fiji Teachers Association General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga says when the grants are not released on time, the heads of schools have to fork out money from their pocket and pay the support staff their wages from their own pockets.

Manumanunitoga says these heads of schools, principals and headteachers, and families are affected because they want their schools to operate and function as well.

He says the Ministry keeps promising them that the grant would be released sometime later.

Manumanunitoga is also questioning why there is a delay in the release of grants and is the Ministry of Finance causing the problem or is it because of the differences between the two most senior positions in the Ministry.

He says they are deeply worried about what is going to happen and the effect is trickling down to the students.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca says for Term 2, 90.65 percent was paid for the primary school, 94.32 percent for the secondary and the Early Childhood fully paid.

Kuruleca says for Term 3, 29.90 percent paid for Early Childhood, 83.6 percent for primary school and 82.39 percent for secondary.

The Permanent Secretary says there is a whole compliance process that must be adhered and as soon as this is cleared and all vendor information as per new FMIS requirements is met, payments are processed.

FEATURE NEWS
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
32 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
4 minutes ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
16 minutes ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
1 hour ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
3 hours ago

Family left homeless after house fire in Navicula Village, Korovou
A family is left homeless after a property fire completely destroyed their one-bedroom home in Navicula Village, Korovou, on Wednesday afternoon.The ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
8 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
8 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP