Pacific Polytech says it is struggling to understand the significant reduction in its government funding at a time when Fiji continues to face a shortage of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills.

The institution is scaling back some of its operations, including its administrative division, after its annual government grant was reduced from $7 million to $500,000 for the 2026–2027 financial year.

Chairman Dr. Ganesh Chand says the funding cut is difficult to justify, given the country’s ongoing demand for skilled tradespeople and the Government’s emphasis on strengthening the TVET sector.

He says the reduction has forced the institution to restructure its operations, despite the critical role Pacific Polytech plays in training Fiji’s future workforce.

BY: LITIA RABUA TUKUNIA