By Katalina Siasau

The Minister for Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti announced a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing support to the education sector during his budget speech at the Legislative Assembly on June 12.

A total of $113.4 million is allocated to Education to support the implementation of activities under the Government priority agenda 4: 'Improving education for all’.

Some of the new initiatives include free public education up to Form 5 in Government secondary schools.

In Tongatapu, there are two Government high schools (Tonga High School and Tonga College 'Atele). There are also the outer islands Government schools.

Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti told a media briefing last Friday, that the cost for free education from Form 3 to Form 5 level in a year, adds up to $1 million pa'anga.

Meanwhile, the new budget proposed increase of grants to non-government schools.

In secondary schools, there will be an increase from $700 to $770 per head. In TVET schools, and increase from $1,200 to $1,320 per head.

Also an increase from $50 to $200 per head for Early Childhood Education (ECE) Kindergarten.

There will be support for the Hango Institute of Agriculture in ‘Eua to assist their facilities, as they are already receiving a $1,320 per head grant.

The budget also proposed to implement a 10 percent duty allowance for teachers, because teachers do not receive overtime payment, help to retain teachers, and to cover for teacher's personal times to prepare for classes.

The ongoing implementation of education key programs, including the curriculum review, teacher registration and training, digital reforms to aid educational delivery mode and the provision of student breakfast to support students' well-being.

Health $78.9 million

A total of $78.9 million is allocated to Health, to support the implementation of activities under the Government priority agenda 5: 'Improving access to quality and affordable healthcare’.

Hon. Tiueti also announced a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing support for the health sector in his budget speec.

The key initiatives in health on the new budget include the construction of the new Vava’u Hospital, and Queen Salote Nursing School in Tongatapu.

The budget also prioritises multi-sectoral response to the NCD Crisis, aligned with Tonga's National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2021-2025).

It aims to set up a new Dialysis Unit under the Ministry of Health (MOH) starting in Vaini Health Centre.

The budget will also help with the continuation of primary school breakfast program.

Meanwhile, the Government also prioritises E-Health project targets to train Ministry of Health officers, practitioners, and nurses on the e-Government system.