Nuku’alofa, Tonga — Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi has announced a major reform to Tonga Development Bank (TDB) loan policy aimed at supporting families of students studying in Fiji, where only more than 100 out of more than 500 Tongans are on government scholarships.
Speaking at a briefing this morning, Fusimalohi revealed that while more than 100 scholarships are funded by overseas donors, the Tonga Government currently manages only 20 to 30 scholarships.
The remaining 400 students are privately funded by their parents, prompting the government to revise its loan scheme to allow families to borrow money for their children’s education.
“This loan policy, initiated by our government, available at TDB, is designed to support students in critical fields such as medicine,” Fusimalohi said.
He acknowledged the contributions of China, Australia, and New Zealand, which continue to provide scholarship opportunities open to all Tongans.
However, he stressed the need for a more responsive and inclusive system to ensure students with potential are not left behind due to financial constraints.
The reform is part of a broader effort to strengthen Tonga’s human capital development and ensure equitable access to higher education, particularly in areas of national need.
Tonga established its first-ever government-owned national university in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education sector.
Prior to this, higher education in Tonga was primarily served by the University of the South Pacific (USP), based in Fiji and jointly owned by 12 regional member countries, including Tonga.
ʻAtenisi University, founded in 1975 by Professor Futa Helu, operated as a privately owned institution within Tonga.
