The Higher Education Commission of Fiji has today clarified that it has neither signed any grant agreement with any higher education institutions nor has it disbursed any grants from the 2024/25 National Budget.

The Australian government has provided $33 million grant funding support to upgrade school infrastructure along the Suva-Nausori corridor.

Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad emphasizes that the government’s goal for recipients of Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service is to ensure they contribute back to the country.

Despite calls for a 30 percent salary increase by teachers’ unions and associations, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says he is satisfied that civil servants will see a pay raise, although smaller than requested.

The substantial increase in salaries within the civil service may have been music to the ears of some workers within government, but it has not been favourably accepted by the major civil-servant unions.

The Ministry of Education is urging teacher unions to engage in consultations with the Ministry to reach an agreement before any strike action is taken.

The government’s three, five, and 20-year development plans will play a huge role in helping to identify the types of skilled people universities will need to produce.

Higher Education Commission of Fiji Chief Executive, Dr. Rohit Kishore, says the workforce landscape has changed immensely following the COVID-19 pandemic, as day-to-day tasks are now more technology-driven.

Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu says the Ministry believes that education is key to producing a new generation of independent and capable iTaukei people.

Fiji Pine Limited has prioritized education by awarding over $200,000 to at least 116 students who are children and families of landowners in the five forest stations.

The University of the South Pacific reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as it has been ranked in the 2024 Times Higher Education World Impact Rankings.

Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says the government will carefully consider any allocation for a raise in pay for the civil service.