42 schools miss out on Free Education Grant

Forty-two schools missed out on the Free Education Grant (FEG) in 2025 after failing to meet Ministry of Education compliance requirements. More than half of the affected schools in the Eastern Division.

Of the 42 schools, 35 were primary and seven were secondary schools.

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro revealed the breakdown in a written parliamentary response to Opposition MP Hem Chand this week.

The Eastern Division recorded the highest number, with 24 non-compliant schools, followed by Lautoka/Yasawa with seven, Nadroga/Navosa with three, and Macuata/Bua, Cakaudrove and Nausori with two each.

The figures represent an improvement from 2022, when 117 primary and 41 secondary schools missed out on the grant.

Mr Radrodro said the Ministry had made progress but flagged the Eastern Division figures for closer scrutiny.

"We have improved. So, make an analysis of it," he told this masthead, referring to the written response.

According to the Ministry's response, grant payments are tied to schools completing termly class audits on the Fiji Education Management Information System (FEMIS), updating monthly bank reconciliations, and submitting Annual Financial Reports and Annual General Meeting minutes.

Mr Chand said he had asked for the names of the affected schools but received only figures.

"My question was more on the names of the schools," he said.

He said his request followed complaints from several schools that had not received their grants.

"A lot of schools, they have been contacting me, telling me that they have not received the grant," Mr Chand said.

He said school heads and management might need more guidance on meeting compliance requirements, particularly around audited financial reports.

Mr Chand confirmed he would lodge oral questions and meet Mr Radrodro to discuss support for struggling schools.

"If grant is not given on time, that is definitely going to affect the schools," he said.