Public policy
Group Members: Team Number:
1. Lydia Seth , s11124664
Mon 9am 5
2. Akini Qauqau, s11146461
1. Introduction, Description & Context
Word: 321/500
When we look at the term public policy, according to MG214 course book it is simply a set of
rules and guidelines that government goes through in all government actions. For this unit, the
main focus of the course is on public administration or public management. Therefore, for this
assignment we will be talking more on public policy and how it is related to the course,
specifically diving into the free education system in Fiji. To be enlighten as to what is the
initial objective for the introduction of the policy. How the policy was decided, designed, how
was it set in place, who is involved? How it was implemented, through a public or private, who
pays, who delivers and who controls and how it is being monitored. As we move on, we will
further discuss as to what is the role of the government, what does it involve in terms of
provision, responsibilities, subsidies, or choices. This basically links to the role of the
government.
When I was in high school, the government was also giving free bus tickets. We always have the
idea that the government is providing, but we have been enlightened that the government is
actually subsidizing when it comes to free bus tickets, since they not providing transport but
instead, they give us free tickets and we use them on public transportations which are owned by
private company therefore they subsidizing.
Furthermore, one thing we as the group will keep in mind while working on this assignment is to
look out and find some of the possible advantages and disadvantages of the policy. To evaluate
and comment on the policy that the government have implemented, and whether there is a need
for a reform in the policy. Basically, there is more that we will include since this is just part of
the concept and the outline of what we planning to discuss later in the assignment.
2. Methodology (word: 50)
Secondary research
Due to the current situation the country of Fiji is undergoing from the second wave of Covid-19,
thus we have resolved to secondary research method since it is the safest and readily available.
Therefore, we will be searching using google scholar, articles, presentations and documents with
relevance to our topic.
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3. Analysis (words: /1000
One of the greatest investments a nation can make to secure its future is through Education, an
investment that will benefit our children and our nation. Earlier in the 2014 National Budget
Announcement, the Prime Minister of Fiji Commodore Bainimarama proudly announced that
Fiji for the first time in history now have free education for primary and secondary schools to all
Fijian citizens. With a sum of $541.5 million was budgeted for the Education Sector[ CITATION
The13 \l 1033 ]. Despite the Covid-19 in Fiji, the government has made a policy decision to
continue with the free education[ CITATION Gov20 \l 1033 ]. Now prior to the free education in fiji,
children of low-income earning families have less advantages to complete their studies as parents
could not afford to pay for the admission of their children.
The year 2014 was a reform in the education sector, now parents do not have to worry and the
burden for paying school fees have been uplifted from their shoulders. Now why was there a
need for a reform in the education sector for the free education initiative?
The Fijian government clearly illustrates the objective for this policy, it basically founded from
the sustainable development goal 4 ‘Quality Education”.
Dr Reddy said the new policies are aimed at reforming the education sector with an overall goal
of entrepreneurship education is to give students the attitudes, knowledge, and skills to act in an
entrepreneurial way[ CITATION the14 \l 1033 ]
The government aims to provide free education to all Fijian citizens.
parents and guardians benefits from this policy since they will not be paying any fees to the
school, instead they use the budget for there children’s school fees for their family. Children
don’t have to worry about there admission fee, a decrease in the absenteeism rate
This scheme will be administered by the Government in partnership with the Fiji Higher
Education Commission and the Universities.
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The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the administration and management of
education policy and delivery of educational services[ CITATION the10 \l 1033 ]
4. Conclusion & Key Lessons Learned
Insert text here. Length: approx. 400 words
What are you taking away for your research project, analysis and interview? What are some highlights
and key lessons in relation to public management, public sector reform, and/or public policy? The
lessons are at two levels: 1) in relation to the case study/project itself; 2) in relation to the broader
topics in public management and public administration.
For the case study, there may be some specific lessons/take-away in terms of the successes, failures and
recommendations in relation to this particular case and context (e.g. lessons for that particular
case/sector/policy/enterprise in that specific country or context).
For the public administration and public management part, the lessons may range from the process
itself and the participation of stakeholders (e.g. impact, strengths and weaknesses), to the effects and
results of the policy/reform/restructuring (e.g. successes, failures and limitations), to what this tells
you/how it informs ideas and challenges related to specific aspects/dimensions of public administration
and public management (e.g. governance, accountability, strategic management, leadership, human
resources and performance, etc.).
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5. References
