TSLB denounces misinformation about the current review of the national priority areas

The Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board has denounced any misinformation being spread that the current review of the national priority areas is aimed at restricting students’ choices, curtailing their aspirations or any attempts to reduce the budgetary allocation for the scholarship and loans schemes.

Chairman Rakesh Ram says the objective of the review is to identify the human resources needs of the industry sectors for the next 10 years in a consultative approach.

He says the review is further aimed at identifying the new fields that need to be addressed in the priority areas for funding under the scholarship and loans schemes and at the same time the review will assist TSLB in identifying skills that are becoming obsolete/redundant so that appropriate recommendations could be made for upskilling of the workforce.

Ram adds this is not the first time that a review of the schemes has been undertaken.

He says since the inception of the new schemes in 2014, several major changes have been accommodated to benefit Fijians including an increase in bus fare for TELS students, introduction of the Scholarship Scheme for the Students with Special Needs, increase in the number of schemes to assist Fijians from 6 schemes in 2014 to 15 schemes currently (few are suspended for 2021), inclusion of incidental allowance of $1000/annum for TELS students, increase in supplementary allowances for the students under the donor funded bilateral scholarships from USD$1600/annum to USD$2400/annum on the request of the students, introduction of the National Toppers Overseas Scholarship and funding of repeat courses under TELS.

Ram says continuous review and deliberation in the past clearly demonstrate that such actions are not aimed at disadvantaging Fijians, but rather an attempt to continuously improve the welfare of Fijians as is evident by the fact that what started with 5,940 students in 2014 has amplified to 44,812 as at 31st July 2020.

He adds there has been a significant increase in the amount of funds allocated by government for investment in the Tertiary, Technical and Vocational Education through TSLB as the schemes commenced in 2014 with a combined budgetary allocation of $78,920,000 and peaked at $255,047,500 in the 2018/2019 financial year 2018/2019 and for the current financial year, the allocation stands at $161,105,273.

Ram further says the current list of priority areas was established in 2014 and has only gone through cosmetic changes annually.

Ram adds given the labour market dynamics and changing needs of the employers, it is crucial that a thorough review be conducted to ensure that adequate funding is allocated to create a knowledge based society and to create a more skilled and adaptable workforce.

TSLB is encouraging Fijians to make submissions before the due date of 31st January 2021 so that balance between the labour market in terms of demand and supply is established and appropriate policy tools are implemented to ensure that we have well qualified and skilled workforce while exercising fiscal responsibility.