The Education Ministry has clarified that its budget for next year has increased and not reduced like some critics have falsely made statements.

A statement by the Ministry said that its budget has increased by $29,288,431. It said that the additional $47,373,831 that brought the 2008 budget up to $296.49 million were funds allocated to the University of the South Pacific and the Fiji Institute of Technology.
However for the first time from next year, the allocations for both the tertiary institutions have not been included in the Ministry's budget as it has been transferred to a new budget allocation.

According to the Ministry, it has been allocated a sum of $278,408,900 and since it does not cover USP and FIT allocations, it has an increased budget for next year.

It also said that no teacher position salary has been deleted from the 2009 budget and the bulk of the increase is in relation to salaries of teachers and officers in the Ministry.

The Education Ministry has assured all stakeholders that education has not in any way been compromised in next years budget.