Funding on hold for Polytech and ServicePro International for not fully meeting Higher Education criteria

Pacific Polytech is only partially registered with the Fiji Higher Education Commission, while ServicePro International Tourism Hospitality Institute is fully registered but may have a shortfall in meeting some of the other criteria.

This has been confirmed by Commission Director, Eci Naisele after Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs member, Parveen Bala asked for the names of institutions that were not recommended by the Higher Education Commission but still received funds.

Naisele says only those institutions that meet all the criteria are eligible.

He further states that funding for those who have not met the requirements is on hold, and the Commission has attempted to negotiate with the government regarding the legality of the process involved.

Responding to fijivillage News, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says the Commission can make submissions and provide advice, but the decision on budget allocations rests with Cabinet and Parliament.

Professor Prasad says funding allocations have been made following proper parliamentary processes.

The Deputy Prime Minister adds that he is of the understanding that the Commission had not received a timely submission from the two training providers and thus made a late submission to the Ministry of Finance.