Rural schools will now have a good chance of receiving bigger grants as a new system is in place regarding the distribution of grants for schools.

Before, grants were given to schools depending on how many students they had, which basically meant that schools in the urban centers with larger numbers would get more grants than the rural schools.

This has now changed across the board and the new system will depend on these disadvantaged factors distance from main towns or city, accessibility by boat or road, mark up price on materials and transportation costs in view of distance and difficulty of access, regular mode of public transport or lack of it, availability of telecommunication, small isolated island effect, socio-economic status and availability of amenities such as water supply, electric power and medical facilities.

Considering these factors, schools will be organized into five categories rural/remote schools, rural schools, semi rural schools, small semi urban schools and urban schools.

The Education Ministry hopes this new system will improve access to quality education for our rural and disadvantaged schools.