The Fees Free study within the Cook Islands will commence with eligible institutions from this month following Prime Minister Mark Brown’s announcement of the Fees Free programme being extended as part of the Economic Recovery Roadmap (ERR) for the 2021/22 fiscal year.

Cook Islanders and eligible residents will get another chance to upgrade their knowledge and qualification from this extended Fees Free initiative.

In a statement, Minister of Education Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa and the Education ministry said they are pleased to announce that Fees Free study within the country will commence with eligible institutions from January, 2022.

Minister Mokoroa said: “Being able to study domestically in the Cook Islands and without the financial burden that comes with studying at tertiary and vocational levels is a great opportunity for upskilling but also for those who are already committed to studying.”

“Through this support, I hope to see many empowered to complete their studies and put their new qualifications and learning to good use.

“I apii ana au ki konei i tō tātou USP i te tuatau e angaanga moni ra au. Noatu e, kua rauka mai tetai au tauturu takakē nōku, kua kimi katoa ra au i tetai tuanga moni ei tūtaki i taku apii. Te mataora nei au no teia tauturu te ka riro i te tūpae i te au tamariki kia rauka i te apii ʻuātu rāi, e pera te ngakiʻanga i tō rātou ngutuare tangata.”

Originally introduced in 2020 as part of Government’s support to the wage subsidy, this extended initiative will allow for people to undertake courses at Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI), University of the South Pacific (USP) – Cook Islands Campus, and the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT), without needing to pay for associated enrolment fees, further removing barriers to education, training and development.

Eligible levels of study across all three institutions include certificate, diploma and partial undergraduate degree level courses in a range of tertiary and vocational courses.

Dr Debi Futter-Puati, USP Cook Islands Campus director, said never has there been a better time to “stay home and go far”.

“With this exciting initiative from the Cook Islands Government an undergraduate degree can begin with USP and have the first eight papers funded through the Fees Free initiative.”

For new students at USP and CITTI, the Fees Free programme have been available on courses from January 1, 2022 and includes summer school courses that began on January 4 with USP.

Having experienced a surge in enrolment numbers during the first round of Fees Free, Akaiti Maoate, CITTI director, is confident that this next Fees Free initiative will see many wishing to continue on the vocational pathway and completing the next level of qualifications specialising

in trades, food and beverage, business and sports and recreation.

Fees Free 2022 will also allow those interested in upgrading computer skills and cyber security knowledge to enroll at CEIT.

Miimetua Nimerota, CEIT director, said the Centre is offering three certificate courses in Cyber Forensics and Cyber Laws, Business Computing and Office

Automation under the ERR Fees Free Programme.

“New students are encouraged to make an appointment with our Course Counsellors to find out which certificate course if right for you.”

Anyone resident in the Cook Islands is eligible for the Fees Free programme, that is, Cook Islanders, permanent residents and work permit holders.

Fees Free will ensure the tuition fees for the offered courses are reduced to zero for students.