Schools are not supposed to get students to help raise money - Minister for Education

The government does not want any child or parent to be burdened with fund-raising in schools should they not wish to do so.

Attorney General and Minister for Education Aiyaz Sayed–Khaiyum highlighted this at the 2018‑2019 National Budget Consultations at Suva Grammar School yesterday where students from several schools were gathered for the presentation.

A student of DAV College had requested the Attorney General if funding can be allocated for Student Council projects since fundraising was not allowed.

The student had said that these projects included raising funds for walkways to be built for the students.

The Minister replied that the school is supposed to do those types of projects and not students adding that schools are given money by the government.

Sayed–Khaiyum says when the government provides free education, it gives the school money per child.

He says when schools are given grants, a certain percentage of it goes towards internal maintenance, certain percentage for walkways, equipment and other needs.

The Attorney General says schools are not supposed to get students to help raise money for such things and if the school has a dire need for some capital project then it needs to make a submission to the Ministry of Education.

He says the Ministry of Education needs to be notified if fundraising needs to be done.