SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 23, 2002 - The Fiji Times/PINA Nius Online)---Fiji's Education Ministry budget for 2002 has been increased to F$ 217 million (US$ 96,521,600), according to Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
This is believed to be the highest funding ever given for education.
Mr. Qarase said it represented an increase of $39 million (US$ 17,347,200) over last year's budget allocation and was the largest budget increase for any government sector.
Speaking at the launch of the Global Action Week-Education for All by 2015 project, Mr. Qarase said a collective effort would see educational progress in the country.
"The government, the school-owning authority, the parents, education administrators, teachers and the community at large all have a role to play,'' he said.
Mr. Qarase said the poor state of mainly indigenous Fijian schools in rural areas and outer islands posed a challenge for the government.
"The run-down condition of these...