Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu is calling on the government to remove provisions that allow schools to collect funds from students, saying they place an unnecessary burden on school children and their families.
While contributing to the 2026/2027 National Budget debate in Parliament, Seruiratu says the practice should be abolished because it places an unsustainable financial strain on low-income families.
He says one of the positives in the Budget is the government's continued investment in education.
He says funding for free education, student transport assistance, scholarships and school infrastructure reflects a commitment to ensuring all children have access to learning opportunities.
Seruiratu says education remains the foundation of long-term growth and prosperity for any nation.
The Opposition Leader also called for the reintroduction of the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS), saying it would provide a financial lifeline for students who do not qualify for scholarships and cannot afford to pay university fees.
He says this would help create a level playing field for students to pursue their preferred fields of study.
Seruiratu also says the government should formally integrate civic education into the early stages of the school curriculum to foster responsible citizenship from a young age.
He says this could also help address issues such as drug abuse and crime involving young people.
On the skills shortage, Seruiratu says private sector companies are facing productivity challenges that are affecting growth, expansion and diversification, ultimately limiting economic growth.
He says labour migration has become one of the defining features of Fiji's economy.
Seruiratu says they have seen an increasing number of Fijians taking up employment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand through seasonal worker programmes, bilateral labour agreements and direct recruitment into sectors such as agriculture, meat processing, health, education, construction and hospitality.
He says remittances are projected to reach $1.5 billion by next year, providing valuable foreign exchange, strengthening household incomes and helping to support the economy during periods of uncertainty.
On the rising cost of living, Seruiratu says it remains one of the most important issues facing the country.
He says while economic indicators point to growth and recovery, the real measure of success is whether ordinary people can afford the basic necessities of life.
Seruiratu says while the Budget includes programmes aimed at supporting households, they do not address the underlying causes of the rising cost of living.
He says the most sustainable solution is to build a stronger and more productive economy.
The Opposition Leader also says no discussion about Fiji's future can ignore the growing challenges posed by drugs and crime.
He says the National Budget must address the social impacts of drug abuse and crime because they have direct consequences for economic growth, community safety and national well-being.
Seruiratu says the economic cost of drugs and crime is substantial, and the increasing prevalence of illicit drugs and drug-related offences is a matter of national concern.
He says these issues not only destroy lives but also place increasing pressure on the healthcare system, law enforcement agencies and social services.
Seruiratu says achieving the Budget's vision will require addressing drugs and crime with determination and compassion.
He says combining strong civic education, effective law enforcement and rehabilitation programmes will help protect communities and secure a better future for Fiji's children.
On national debt, Seruiratu says public debt is projected to reach $12.6 billion by mid-2027.
He says this figure includes budget deficits but does not account for contingent liabilities, which currently stand at $1.1 billion.
Seruiratu says nearly four years on, the coalition government's promise to reduce debt remains unfulfilled.
He says instead, the government projects total debt will reach $12.58 billion by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.
The Opposition Leader says it took about 15 years, up to the 2021/2022 financial year, for public debt to increase by around $3.48 billion.
By comparison, he says the current government is projected to accumulate almost the same amount of additional debt in just four years.
