School committees best placed to set levies – FCOSS

School levies should be decided at the committee level to ensure quality education while acknowledging the hidden costs families face, the Fiji Council of Social Services says.

FCOSS programme manager Josaia Tokoni told Parliament's Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights yesterday that while tuition is free, families still bear significant expenses.

The proposed Education Bill allows government and government-aided schools to charge levies for infrastructure development, maintenance, books, equipment and educational excursions, but schools must first seek approval from the Permanent Secretary.

When committee chairperson Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure asked whether levies should be introduced in the context of free education, Mr Tokoni said committees should decide.

"We identify that there are some hidden costs while we acknowledge that the free education system that we have is for free tuition, but there will always be hidden costs," Mr Tokoni said.

"It's also been part of our conversations on how levy should be then decided at the committee level to ensure quality educations to their children and also some form of responsibilities as well to the parents in the educations of their children."

The issue of school levies has been contentious, with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro clarifying in November last year that levies must be voluntary and cannot be used as a precondition for enrolment.

Opposition MP Hem Chand had also challenged Government during parliamentary debate, warning that levies could make education "free in name but expensive in practice."

FCOSS recommended the bill strengthen provisions to address hidden costs including transport and school supplies, which create barriers for vulnerable families.

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