More students are studying at Universities through scholarship and loans scheme - Reddy

Education Minister, Dr. Mahendra Reddy highlighted in Parliament today that more students are now studying at Universities through government’s scholarship and loans scheme.

Reddy highlighted this while responding to a question from Opposition Parlimentarian, Mikaele Leawere who asked the Minister to explain which scholarships are available to rural students from disadvantaged parents given that government has taken away Itaukei Affairs and Multi Ethnic Scholarships.

The Education Minister says 12,943 students were studying at tertiary institutions in 2014 under the Toppers and Tertiary Education Loans Scheme.

He says an additional 7,509 students were studying at tertiary institutions under government’s financial scheme.

Reddy told the Parliamentarians that only 5,434 students were studying under the old scheme in 2013 which included Itaukei Affairs, Multi Ethnic and PSC Scholarships.

Reddy adds a number of technical colleges have also opened in rural areas.