Free Education

The Daily Post reported the prime minister made the announcement along side the education minister in Port Vila yesterday.

Charlot Salwai said the move will give all children, including those with disabilities, better access to education.

School fees for Years 9 and 10 were previously waived in 2018.

The announcement came as Vanuatu marked Children's Day today with a public holiday.

The Daily Post reported the policy, where the government had abolished tuition fees for years 7 and 8, had led to increased enrolments and fewer students dropping out of school.

But some schools were complaining that the government payments were not enough, and some schools - particularly in urban areas - said they were too full.

The newspaper said some principals had introduced other fees to get enough funding to cover the shortfall, which has led to complaints from parents.

The prime minster Charlot Salwai had confirmed from next year there will be free early education and secondary education for students from year 7 to year 10.

Mr Salwai's announcement coincides with Children's Day, which is marked in Vanuatu today.

While thousands of children are marching through Port Vila, parents are preparing special programmes including meals for children in every home.

Churches had also called on parents to honour their children on Children's Day.

Photo: AFP Schoolchildren in class, Tanna Island Vanuatu. 

Currently children from year 1 to year 6 qualify for free education, with the government covering their school fees in public schools.

The Minister of Education, Jean Pierre Nirua, made this announcement to hundreds of children and their parents celebrating Children's Day at Saralana Park in Port Vila on Monday.

RNZ correspondent says the decision will delight parents who struggle to pay the fees.

A 'School' sign in Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana