Teacher salary upgrades and grants for children in kindergartens has uplifted the standard and quality of early childhood education and care.
Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Hon. Rosy Akbar opened the Regional Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Care in the Pasifika Talanoa Symposium, in Nadi and noted the great strides taken for the formative education of Fijian students.
“Today ECCE and care is as important as any other education sector and given the topmost priority and funding by our Government. This year we are giving a subsidy of $2.8 million dollars towards the tuition fees of students enrolled in registered ECEC centres. An additional $300,000has been given for construction of facilities and equipment.”
The Fijian Ministry of Education oversees 875 kindergartens, 19,102 students and 1,479 teachers, who are paid by the ministry and are under a reviewed salary rate, with a total of $23.4 million budgeted for their salaries.
This reflects the Fijian Government’s strong commitment to ECE.
“This is a bold step taken by the Ministry to empower these teachers to upgrade their academic qualifications and seek further training, the trickle-down effect finally to be enjoyed by the children,” Minister Akbar reiterated.
Children in recognized ECCE centres are provided free schooling and free transport where accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The four-day symposium is organised by the University of the South Pacific.