Fiji's students get state-funded bus fares

SUVA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- About 79,505 students from 490 schools around Fiji's Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Levuka, Taveuni and Rotuma, who travel by bus to school, should start receiving their state-funded bus fares from Wednesday.

The Education Ministry delivered all the cheques to the District Education Offices who in turn delivered to the schools on Tuesday following an order from the interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama last week.

The order was issued by Bainimarama after an extensive survey in Fiji showed that many parents could not afford to send their children to school when the bus fares increased as a result of the rising world price of fuel.

Reports from the Districts on Tuesday confirmed that most of the schools have received their cheques with exceptions of one or two who will receive it on Wednesday but still in time for disbursement by the afternoon.

Funds will be released on a weekly basis to schools and school heads will be accountable for the proper disbursement, safekeeping and monitoring of funds for students.

Fiji's Education Ministry has put in place a monitoring system, which includes a Taskforce to monitor and liaise with schools regarding any issue they face.

The interim Fiji government therefore stresses to Fiji students of their obligation toward attaining a good education, and parents in ensuring their children go to school daily.

The teacher unions in the country have applauded the move as more families have lost their jobs due to the recent political developments in the country causing a decrease in investment.