The government of Fiji is pleased to announce the continuation of its Back-to-School Support program for the 2026 academic year, a flagship initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on families. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel stated that this program has been instrumental since its inception three years ago, benefiting thousands of families across the nation.
Under the initiative, each eligible child will receive $200 to assist with purchasing essential school items such as uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery, and lunch boxes. This assistance is targeted at families with a combined annual household income of $50,000 or less, covering students from Early Childhood Education (ECE) through Year 13.
Applications are set to open on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, and will close on Friday, December 12, 2025. Parents can obtain application forms from all schools or via the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance websites. Once completed, forms must be submitted to the child’s school for verification. School heads will bear responsibility for the information provided, especially in light of previous incidents involving false applications and tampering with data.
One important aspect for parents and guardians is ensuring the accuracy of details provided, particularly mobile numbers, which must be registered with M-PAiSA or MyCash, as no alterations can be made post-submission. Payments are anticipated to start on January 16, 2026, giving families ample time to prepare for the new academic year commencing on January 26, 2026.
Funds will be disbursed through Vodafone M-PAiSA, Digicel MyCash, and for families in maritime areas without mobile coverage, through Post Fiji. This initiative demonstrates the Fijian government’s commitment to making education accessible to all, about investing in the future wellbeing of its children.
Building on the past successes of the program, which has already supported over 200,000 students annually with a total investment of approximately $130 million, this year brings renewed hope and support for families as they navigate the upcoming school year. With such assistance in place, Fiji is fostering an environment where every child has the opportunity to excel academically, regardless of their family’s financial situation.