$2.8 Million for Kids in Early Childhood Education : Akbar
More than 150 teachers from around the region are part of the four-day symposium
Students enrolled in registered Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centres will be given $2.8 million by Government for tuition fees, says Rosy Akbar.
The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts made the comment while opening the 2019 Early Childhood Education and Care in the Pacific Talanoa Symposium at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi on Tuesday.
It was hosted by the University of the South Pacific (USP).
The theme for this symposium is ‘Ensuring inclusive and quality early childhood care and education in the Pacific through teacher education reforms’.
More than 150 Early Childhood Education teachers from around the region are part of the four-day symposium.
Ms Akbar said Early Childhood Education centres was important as any other education sector in Fiji.
“This year, we are giving a subsidy of $2.8 million towards the tuition fees of students enrolled in registered in Early Childhood Education Centres,” she said.
“An additional $300,000 has been given for construction of facilities and equipment.”
There are 19,102 students and 1479 teachers in the 875 kindergartens under the Ministry of Education. “All of these teachers now paid by the ministry are under a reviewed salary rate compared to the meager amount earned before,” she said.
“A total of $23.4 million has been budgeted for the salaries for the Early Childhood Education teachers, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to Early Childhood Education.
“This is a bold step by the ministry to empower these teachers to upgrade their academic qualifications and seek further training; the trickle-down effect finally to be enjoyed by the children.”
Ms Akbar said the challenges such as teacher training opportunities, geographical isolations and elearning faced by Early Childhood Education must be a battle that was needed to be looked at and solved.