There’s good news for those in the Education sector.
Pay increases and new jobs are on the cards as announced in the Budget address.
Just under $600 million has been allocated to the Education Ministry, one of the largest allocations.
With an increase of $36 million the Ministry of Education has received the second highest budget allocation for 2016.
Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says new jobs will be created along with salary increases.
“The 2016 increase of $36.2 million. In a major new initiative by hiring additional new teachers. Increase the pay to $16,610 thousand base salary. An upgrade the 150 teachers to a base salary of $23,411,” said the Finance Minister.
The Education budget allocation for 2016 will also invest in supporting children with special needs.
“We have increased special needs grant to $3.3 million. An increase of $565,000. This is for all special primary schools. This includes an increase in the grant for each child $250 to $500 a year,” Sayed-Khaiyum revealed.
A $73 million higher education grant has also been provided to support major tertiary institutes.
“As part of this investment in education for tertiary education Government provides grants to a number of tertiary institutions in Fiji that allow them to provide world class education and training. A total funding of $73 million is provided as higher education institution grant in 2016. USP will receive operating base grant of $30.2 million. FNU $36 million and UoF $2.3 million,” said the Finance Minister.
The free milk programme will continue with a funding allocation of $3.6 million.