● The Permanent Secretary

● The World Bank Regional Practice Director, Mr. Alberto

Rodriguez

● Other Representatives from World Bank

● Ladies and gentlemen

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, and Good Afternoon to you all!

First and foremost, I would like to share a verse from the bible, Psalm 37:23-24 "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." We are reminded by this verse that the Lord Almighty is in control of everything and everyone who exists, and this reaffirms our faith in God.

May I now pay my respect and homage to the vanua o Nadonumai, vua saka Na Gone Turaga Na Tui Suva, the traditional custodian of the land on which we stand and on which this hotel is built.

As we bring this 2nd Policy Academy to a close, I would like to first extend our deep appreciation to Mr. Alberto Rodriguez, World Bank Regional Practice Director for People Vertical, East Asia and Pacific Region.

Mr. Alberto has travelled all the way from Washington, despite his busy schedule, and we are truly grateful that he could be here with us today to present the certificates and share his insights.

I would also like to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Shawn Powers, whose ongoing support and guidance has been invaluable. In addition, we extend our sincere thanks to our facilitators and organisers—Professor Satish Chand, Dr. Glenn Finau, Dr. Charmaine Kwan, Mr. Vilisoni Inia, and Mr. Paula Tuilagivou for their expertise and dedication in making this workshop a success.

Ladies and gentlemen, this Policy Academy has reminded us of its origins in the Advisory Support for Pacific Island Region in Education (ASPIRE) workshop and the first Academy held in March, where Heads of Schools highlighted the challenges of public financial management in schools. That conversation laid the foundation for what we have achieved here in this second iteration.

Over the past days, we have strengthened our understanding of the fundamentals of public financial management—efficiency, effectiveness, and equity in education finance. This workshop has struck an important balance between theory and practice, providing not just conceptual knowledge, but also practical tools and guidance relevant to our work.

A few key learnings and outcomes are worth highlighting:

·      The development of a tool to help schools align their grant budgets with their strategic plans through costed operational plans.

·      Improved approaches for budget submissions from schools to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, ensuring accuracy and alignment.

·      Strengthened capacity in financial reporting and the implementation of internal control processes at the school level.

·      Broader awareness of the impact and use of artificial intelligence on education and the importance of factoring such innovations into our education financing decisions.

Beyond these outcomes, this Academy has also created a valuable forum for collaboration—bringing together schools, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance. It has allowed us to better understand the practical struggles faced at the school level, while also strengthening MOE HQ’s appreciation of budget and submission processes. This two-way exchange is vital for building a more transparent, responsive, and equitable education financing system.

With these words, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, I once again thank the World Bank, our facilitators, and all participants. We leave this Academy better equipped, more connected, and more committed to advancing education for all.

 

Vinaka Vakalevu, and May God bless Fiji!