Education breakdown in 2016/2017 National Budget

The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts has been given $448.5 million in the 2016/2017 National Budget with the main focus on rehabilitation for schools affected by Cyclone Winston.

$142.6 million has been allocated to rebuild education facilities with $132 million being the cost for the rehabilitation of 250 schools.

Breakdown of Cyclone Rehabilitation for Education: 

A building grant of $3.5 million has been given to repair 95 Early Childhood Centres. 

Forty-three boarding facilities for primary schools will be repaired with an allocation of $1.9 million. 

The government has also given $1.5 million for the purchase of furniture for damaged schools and also $3 million for repairs on 
64 non-government primary schools. 

Boarding facilities for seven registered secondary schools will also be repaired under a total allocation of $250,630. 

An allocation of $461,110 has also been given as building grants to nine non-government secondary schools. 

Other Education initiatives: 

The government has allocated money for the construction of two new schools next year.

A sum of $1.6 million has been given for the construction of the new Bau Central College while $215,345 has been allocated for the construction of Nailou Infant School in Cakaudrove.

Good news for schools whose students are required to cross rivers and travel by sea as $285,051 has been allocated as grants for the purchase of boats and outboard motor engines. 

An increased funding of $20 million is provided for the Bus Fare Subsidy Scheme and this also includes technical colleges.

$200 million has been allocated for the continuation of the Free Education Initiative. 

A sum of $5.5 million is provided for the printing of textbooks for primary and secondary schools while funding of $3.6 million is allocated for free milk for Year 1 students.

Registered special schools are provided $3.3 million.

$200,000 is also provided under the scholarship scheme for children with special needs.    

Funding support of $13.9 million is provided in the 2016/2017 Budget to cover the operating grant of 11 technical colleges. 

30 more scholarships will be available under the National Toppers Scheme.