$200 Back-to-School support not enough: FENC Fiji

The Government’s $200 Back-to-School assistance is not enough to meet children’s education needs, says the Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji (FENC Fiji).

National executive coordinator Nirmala Nambiar said parents are unable to properly prepare their children for the school year with only $200.

"If I go to a shop to buy a child's uniform, three pairs of uniform will cost me, even two pairs will cost over $100. One pair of sulu maybe $80 to $90 and your $200 is gone," Ms Nambiar said.

She explained that FENC Fiji provides backpacks, exercise books, stationery, mathematical sets and calculators based on year requirements to fill the gap.

"That doesn't help them. I mean that's not sufficient for the parents to meet the entire thing right through because to put food on the table it costs money. To buy children's uniform, it costs money. To buy them shoes, it costs money," she said.

Ms Nambiar said if parents calculate the actual costs including uniforms, shoes and other essentials, the $200 falls short.

"We are giving that additional benefit of supporting the parents with all these items which would have cost them extra money, to ensure that the child has everything to put his first day in school," she said.

FENC Fiji receives a $300,000 government grant and spends approximately $100 per child on educational supplies.

The foundation has approved 5,780 students for assistance this year, with distribution beginning next week Tuesday through Ministry for Rural and Maritime Development district offices.

The organisation also operates three learning centres providing after-school tutoring and runs capacity building programmes including mushroom farming and sewing to help parents achieve sustainable livelihoods.

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