The government should provide vouchers instead of cash for Back-to-School support, as parents and guardians have been found to be abusing the $200 grant.
Former teacher Petero Delasau of Veivatuloa Village in Namosi highlighted this when speaking to fijivillage News about his views on the $200 grant.
Delasau says when grants are given by the government, there is no system in place to track where and how the money is used, and as a result, many parents misuse the grant.
He says the money provided is taxpayers’ money, and the government has the right to know how it is being spent.
The former teacher also highlighted that teachers are complaining that students are coming to school with incomplete stationery, while parents are not fully using the grant for its intended purpose.
Delasau adds that the $200 is only assistance, and parents should not rely entirely on it.
He says initial shopping should be done by parents and guardians.
