Education lifts ban on fundraising

THE Education Ministry has lifted the fundraising ban it imposed on schools in 2011.

Government had introduced the restrictions because it did not want “school managements to push the onus of running a school to parents”.

Over the years, schools that organised fundraising without consulting the ministry were strongly reprimanded and taken to task.

While answering queries from school heads and managers about Government’s decision to reduce the free education grant to schools, Education Ministry deputy permanent secretary Timoci Bure said schools were now allowed to raise funds to meet financial obligations.

He said the reduction would come into effect this year and schools that faced hardships could seek assistance from the ministry.

When told of the ministry’s decision, Fiji Teachers Union

general secretary Agni Deo Singh said the ministry had lost the plot.

He claimed teacher morale was at its lowest, and school management were stressed and at a loss on how to make ends meet.

“The minimum wage is far from adequate and the cost of living has accelerated, so again it will be a further burden on the already very poor parents who are trying to at least provide three decent meals for their families,” he claimed. “And this can likely lead to school dropout rates and absenteeism so it won’t be helpful at all.”

Fijian Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said it was Government who took the responsibility away from parents.

Mr Manumanunitoga said the ministry had a duty to explain to parents why the change was being enforced.

He said the real question would be on whether the ministry had enough money to finance the education sector.

He said the schools needed the money, so they were happy the institutions were allowed to fundraise.

“The budget for electricity and water is not stable — it fluctuates and they have to make ends meet. It is becoming expensive to run a school,” he claimed.