More than 5,000 students currently assisted with free meals

Minister for Education Rosy Akbar has revealed that they are currently providing meals to around 5,120 students, and parents who are struggling to provide food for their children should contact the Ministry.

This is after comments by FRIEND Fiji CEO Sashi Kiran who says that some families have shared with them that they told their children that if there is no food then they will not go to school.

When questioned, Akbar says they understand that families are facing difficulties but feeding the children is parental responsibility.

Akbar says a number of NGOs are helping these students and government assistance right now is focused on bus fare vouchers, RSL vouchers, text books and the Free Education Grant.

However she also says they have told the Heads of Schools that if any student has difficulty in bringing lunch to school, then there is money in the Free Education Grant which can be used.

Akbar says if parents need assistance they should go to the school or just give her a call and she will find out ways to help them.