79,505 students from 490 schools around Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Levuka, Taveuni and Rotuma, who travel by bus to school, should start receiving their state-funded bus fares from tomorrow, Wednesday 21st October.
The Education Ministry delivered all the cheques to the District Education Offices who in turn delivered to the schools. Reports from the Districts have confirmed that most of the schools have received their cheques with exceptions of one or two who will receive theirs tomorrow but still in time for disbursement by the afternoon.
Funds will be released on a weekly basis to schools and school heads will be accountable for the proper disbursement, safekeeping and monitoring of funds for students.
The Ministry has put in place a monitoring system, which includes a Taskforce at headquarters that will monitor and liaise with schools regarding any issue they face. Schools can contact the Taskforce on telephone 3220423 or 3314477 (Ext 423) for any problems that they encounter.
Furthermore, the Ministry would like to stress to students of their obligation towards attaining a good education, and parents in ensuring that their children go to school; now that Government is paying for bus fares and tuition.
The Ministry trusts that we will all lend a hand in ensuring that our children are provided with the best in education.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts, Youth & Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment