Suva
The Fijian government on Wednesday has announced a significant allocation of 40 million Fijian dollars (approximately 17.5 million US dollars) in its 2025 budget to continue the Back-to-School Support Programme. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to assisting families with educational expenses.
Eligible families earning a combined annual income of 50,000 Fijian dollars (around 22,000 US dollars) or less, with children in early childhood education up to Year 13, can apply for this support. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad confirmed that payments will begin in January next year.
The programme was first introduced last year to help alleviate financial burdens on families, especially following the holiday season. Over the past two years, more than 436,000 students have benefited from the initiative, resulting in a total payout of 87.2 million Fijian dollars (around 38.2 million US dollars).
