Save the children Fiji acknowledges back-to-school assistance
Save the Children Fiji commends the new Government for taking swift steps to initiate a $50 million back-to-school support programme.
The programme is needed because as per recent statistics received by SCF, there are more than 3000 children in primary and secondary education who are in need of school bag kits and stationery items. The recent announcement for back-to-school assistance is timely and is going to help many families who are feeling the impact of the global crisis.
Save the Children Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Shairana Ali is urging parents to liaise with their children’s schools and ensure they are applying for this assistance. “Similar cash assistance programmes have been widely implemented by Save the Children Fiji over the past two years, and we have witnessed the advantages such cash assistance programs have on families,” said Ali
“In almost all instances, cash provided by Save the Children was spent meeting children’s immediate needs and therefore, we have no doubt that parents will spend the recent assistance from the Government to meet their children’s needs.
“The Government has indicated that parents should receive priority, however, it is unclear at this time whether guardians are also eligible. “From our data, we know that many children are financially supported by their grandparents, uncles, aunts, and siblings, and they frequently struggle to send the children in their care to school.
“We ask the Government to take this into consideration and open the assistance program to guardians.”
Similar cash assistance programmes have been widely implemented by Save the Children Fiji over the past two years, and we have witnessed the advantages such cash assistance programs have on families Shairana Ali Save the Children Fiji Chief EXECUTIVE OFfiCER