Cabinet to discuss multi-ethnic scholarships next week
Once the Minister for Finance Biman Prasad announces the allocation for the multi-ethnic scholarship, they would draw up a policy to assist students.
Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Charan Jeath Singh will be in a better position to inform Fijians about the multi-ethnic scholarship after the Cabinet on January 17.
In an interview, he said there was a need for a budget for the multiethnic scholarship to kick-start. There are no funds allocated for this in the 2022-2023 Budget. He said once the Minister for Finance Biman Prasad announced the allocation for the multi-ethnic scholarship, they would draw up a policy to assist students who would want to pursue tertiary education.
“Mr Prasad will give us instructions on how to work forward,” he said.
“Students who will benefit from the scholarship programmes are students that go to tertiary. It will be from all spectrums in every society.
“It can be for iTaukei and noniTaukei students.
“I understand the Year 13 graduates are waiting for the external examination result and at the same time eagerly waiting to hear what we have to offer.
“We would like to tell them to be rest assured that we care for them and would accommodate their needs in the best interest of the nation’s development.”
He said while all this was happening, his ministry was liaising with various universities by collecting data.
Permanent Secretary position
On the appointment of a Permanent Secretary for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Mr Singh said he would await the decision.
“If my leader appoints a permanent secretary for the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs. I would be delighted to work with. If they will not appoint a permanent secretary, I am also satisfied with their decision.”
By law, the Public Service Commission is responsible for the appointment permanent secretaries.
Update on forgiving student loans
Meanwhile, the Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro said students studying under the tertiary education schemes would continue as funds had been allocated.
Mr Radrodro said he was hopeful that a decision on loan forgiveness for tertiary students would be made soon before the start of the academic year.
He said discussions were underway.
“We are mindful that amendments to the law will also need to be done,” he said.
He said the ministry was having meetings with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and the Tertiary Scholarship and Loan Service. An announcement is to be made soon.