Year 9 Student Lauds Free Education Scheme, Thanks PM
Year 9 student Ameera Azraat Abdul of Tilak High School is grateful to government for easing her single mother’s financial burden by making education free.
Tuesday 12 April 2022 | 14:13
Year 9 student Ameera Azraat Abdul of Tilak High School is grateful to government for easing her single mother’s financial burden by making education free.
Geared for her first day of high school yesterday, the 14-year-old said the free education scheme gave all youths the opportunity to pursue an education when they would otherwise not be able to afford.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister. He did a lot for us and he has made the best effort for our education so I’m really thankful to him,” Ms Abdul said.
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“It’s been the best first day so far. I was nervous at first but the teachers are friendly, generous, helpful and kind which made us feel comfortable and we fit right in.
“My mother has done a lot for me and I’m really grateful to her. She works hard and I appreciate her for that.
“Free education has helped us because we don’t have to pay school fees like they used to before which added to their financial suffering.”
Her 54-year-old mother Umhadida Abdul said she was excited that her daughter was one of the many Fijian students who benefitted from the free education scheme.
“As a single mother I was nervous about sending her to school because of the textbooks and her school needs.
“If it was not paid by government and if I had to pay for it myself, I would not be able to send her to school because I have to think of buying food and other needs,” she said.
“I hope the leadership of this nation remains the same where my daughter can complete her high school and tertiary education and we benefit as citizens of Fiji.”
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama wished all students well on their first day of the new academic year especially Ms Abdul who had reached out to him as a show of appreciation.
Mr Bainimarama said: “Her words are a reminder of why we have supported all children, especially young girls, to climb as high as their ambition can carry them.”
Minister for Education Premila Kumar while speaking in Parliament said the Free Education Grant has helped many female students attend school because without it parents had to choose which child to send to school.
More than $60 million is allocated for the grant every year for primary and secondary schools and since 2015 the grant has also included Early Childhood Education.
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