The government approved 579 awards under the Toppers Scheme in January this year.

Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy more students applied for Toppers after January and this resulted in the government’s decision to raise the allocation to 630.

Dr Reddy says the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme which continues with an allocation of $42.5m has now been extended to students studying at various Campuses of the Technical College of Fiji.

He says the growth in the market demand of skilled trades-people is very much part of our economy.

Dr Reddy says the government intends to present a more student friendly package to all Fijians.