Funding for school connectivity is now filtered through the Ministry of Education and Culture in the budgetary allocation for the One Government Grant (O.G.G.) incentive. 

The grant for the school internet project was initially channeled through the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology but moved to M.E.C. in the new financial year. 

The Minister for M.C.I.T., Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo said although the funding has been moved out, his Ministry still plays a role in monitoring connectivity and online programs the schools access.  

Toelupe gave the explanation in Parliament last week during national budget debate that was subsequently approved by the House. 

 He was responding to queries about $800,000 from the M.C.I.T. that was transferred to M.E.C. 

Toelupe said the issue was due to responsibility not being made clear between M.E.C. and service providers.

He added there were problems with equipment such as no maintenance on modems and has been resolved with $800,000 set aside for the maintenance contract. 

 The Minister continued to say that the $2 million contract awarded to a satellite company for school internet was an immediate solution to issues at the time on school connectivity. 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa who was the acting Minister for M.E.C. said 20 per cent of the O.G.G. funding goes towards administrative costs and school internet. 

She said the installation of satellite for schools especially schools that couldn’t connect was a project introduced by the incumbent government.