Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad Defends Increased Grant to Pacific Polytech Institute

Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad Defends Increased Grant to Pacific Polytech Institute

Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has come under fire for the government’s decision to allocate a $5 million grant to the Pacific Polytech Institute in the new National Budget. Critics, including Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry, have raised concerns about the institution’s record and its close connections to the Minister.

Chaudhry has called for an investigation into the value of the institute’s training programs, citing industry sources who question their effectiveness. He also pointed out that other well-established vocational and training institutions receive significantly less funding, collectively receiving only $3.5 million.

In response to the criticism, Minister Prasad defended the grant, highlighting the success of the institute in producing graduates who have joined the workforce. He emphasized that the majority of students at Pacific Polytech are iTaukei students who have benefited from the training programs.

Prasad clarified that the budget allocations for tertiary and technical institutions were assessed by the Higher Education Commission of Fiji before recommendations were made for funding. He stressed that the government supports all institutions equally and that decisions are not made based on personal preferences.

The Finance Minister also addressed accusations of racism from critics, stating that institutions like Pacific Polytech play a crucial role in meeting labor demands and providing opportunities for students who may have otherwise fallen off track. He noted that the Fiji National University has not been able to train an adequate number of students despite receiving government scholarships, making the support for institutions like Pacific Polytech essential.

Overall, Minister Prasad defended the government’s decision to increase funding for Pacific Polytech, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for all students and meeting the workforce’s needs.