Taipei to help cash out school fees for fifth and sixth formers in Malaita.
SCHOOL fees for 5th and 6th formers on Malaita this year would be met by Taiwan, School Principals on Malaita announced this week.
According to some students, the news was announced by School Principals during morning assemblies earlier this week.
Students were told that school fees for all 5th and 6th formers on Malaita this year would be met by Taiwan.
Parents will only worry about school fees for forms 1 to 4 this year, according to the announcement.
It is unclear how many students would benefit from the announcement. Many said this was the outcome of Premier Daniel Suidani’s discussion in Taipei where he was receiving medical assistance until recently.
It is also not clear how the funding would kick in or who will administer the funding. In terms of external transfers such funds must first be cleared by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI).
This latest move by Premier Suidani is certain to add further headache for the government, given China’s position on Taiwan, which Beijing treats as a province of Mainland China.
Those who were familiar with the arrangement told Solomon Star that details of all school principals on Malaita, including their mobile phone numbers were provided to someone who appeared to be well connected with the funding arrangement.
It is likely Taiwan would pay the schools with forms five and six directly. This, however could not be independently verified.
