Student bus fare scheme to continue

Good news for the people in Ra, Nadroga and Tailevu as government will build four new secondary schools in the areas.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama announced that Saint Francis College and Nakorotubu Secondary School will be built in Ra, Ratu Lalabalavu Memorial School in Nadroga and Bau Central College in Tailevu.

A sum of $2 million is provided for these works.

Government has also increased the allocation for student bus fare assistance to $20.8 million as 78,000 students make use of this scheme.

Next year, a building grant program totaling more than $800,000 will be used to upgrade, renovate and equip boarding facilities in both government and non-government schools while the One Laptop Per Child program will continue next year with an allocation of $800,000.

$550,000 will also be provided as an operating grant for special schools for the blind, and the intellectually and physically handicapped.

$200,000 is being allocated for a scholarship scheme for special children.

The University of the South Pacific will receive $36.5 million, Fiji National University $38.5 million and the University of Fiji will receive a $3.5 million.
 
In addition to its operating grant, FNU will receive a capital grant for its Labasa and Navua campus in the sum of $4.5 million.


Story by: Akuila Cama