The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has retracted a media statement attributed to Principal Education Officer of the Education Provider Support Unit, David Polosomana, published in the Island Sun newspaper concerning the Government’s Free Education Policy.
In a statement, the ministry said the views attributed to Polosomana do not represent the policy position of the Government or the Ministry and should not be interpreted as an official statement on the scope or implementation of the Free Education Policy.
“The Free Education Policy is a flagship commitment of the GREAT Coalition Government,” the statement said.
“Its detailed design, scope, costing and implementation arrangements are currently being developed by the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce established by Cabinet, ahead of the policy’s planned commencement in January 2027,” it added.
“As the Prime Minister explained in Parliament this week, the Government is still undertaking the necessary work to finalise the policy.
“Once this process is completed, the Government intends to engage in bipartisan discussions to reach agreement on what will be included in the definition and scope of free education.”
The ministry said the Government is committed to ensuring that the policy is ambitious while also being realistic, reasonable and financially sustainable, with appropriate costing, administrative systems and implementation arrangements in place before its commencement.
“MEHRD therefore advises the public and media that the statement attributed to Polosomana should not be regarded as an official statement of the Government’s Free Education Policy or its intended scope.
“MEHRD will continue to provide accurate and authoritative information to the public and media as the policy development and implementation process progresses towards its planned commencement in January 2027.
“We regret any confusion or misunderstanding that may have arisen from the published statement and reiterate our commitment to ensuring that the public receives accurate and authoritative information on this important national policy.”