With only a week remaining before schools reopen on January 26, parents and guardians across Fiji are busy preparing for the new academic year, with back-to-school shopping in full swing.
In Suva city, families could be seen purchasing school bags, uniforms and stationery as they make final preparations for the start of term.
A father and a school teacher, Ilaitia Nateba from Ra, says the new school year brings both excitement and challenges, particularly for students sitting major examinations.
Nateba says education remains a top priority for his 3 children.
He says it is important to make sure everything is ready before school starts.
Nateba is also encouraging parents to see back-to-school spending as an investment in their children’s future, despite rising costs.
Insert: Invest in our children Jan 17
He also noted that school expenses extend beyond books and uniforms, with many children requiring sportswear and equipment for extracurricular activities.
He says it is also a good challenge to invest in not only their school work, but also in sports and other activities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance says the payments of the $200 Back to School grant will continue over the weekend following a thorough vetting and verification process.
The Ministry say they received a total of 204,872 applications for the assistance, and about 10,000 applications are still under verification due to incomplete or incorrect information provided.
They say students progressing from Year 12 to Year 13 will receive their payments once their enrolment for the 2026 academic year is confirmed.
They say the Ministry of Education, together with respective schools, will work closely with parents and guardians to rectify outstanding issues and ensure every eligible child receives the $200 assistance.
Parents and guardians who do not receive the payment by next Monday are encouraged to seek assistance through the Ministry of Education District Offices or via the Help Desk at Waisomo House.
They are urged to also contact the Help Desk on 3220551, 3314477, 9980079 or 9986069.
The Ministry is also urging parents and guardians to use the assistance wisely towards their children’s education needs.
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