Restoring partnerships between school management, communities, religious organizations and parents is crucial to rebuilding and strengthening an education system that was completely broken.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad highlighted this during fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan and stressed that more than 16 years ago, the deterioration of schools and facilities began.
He says that, as a result, and in partnership with the Australian Government, an audit of more than 80 schools in the Suva-Nausori corridor was carried out.
Professor Prasad says infrastructure worsened due to a lack of independence in school management, inadequate education grants, and restrictions on fundraising.
Professor Prasad says this broken system discouraged parental involvement, with many parents now unaware of who teaches their children.
He says the government has responded by taking decisive action in the recent national budget to restore autonomy to school management.
In the 2025/2026 National Budget, an additional $500,000 has been allocated to the School Management Association to strengthen school leadership nationwide.
The Deputy Prime Minister says school grants previously came with spending guidelines, for instance, 20 percent designated for a specific purpose, regardless of a school's urgent needs like fixing washrooms or sanitation.
He says the new system allows full flexibility, allowing school management to prioritise their specific needs.
Professor Prasad says this move will be exciting among school management, parents and communities, as annual bazaars were once a key feature of every school before they were discontinued.
The Deputy Prime Minister adds that he is confident school managers and management associations across the country are pleased with this initiative.
The Deputy Prime Minister clarified that schools will continue to have to provide audited reports for transparency.
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