Amendments approved for Polynesian students

The deputy Moerani Frébault successfully had three of his four proposed amendments adopted on Monday evening in the finance committee, as part of the 2027 finance bill. These amendments aim to provide additional support for Polynesian students, totaling nearly 528 million francs.

Funding for student housing

Nearly 360 million francs have been approved to build new student housing at the University of French Polynesia. The funding will prioritize students from the islands, the peninsula, and those with limited financial resources, addressing housing shortages and improving living conditions for students.

Support for university meals

A portion of the funding, 96 million francs, is allocated to maintain the affordability and quality of university meals at 120 francs each. This comes in response to rising living costs and aims to ensure students can continue accessing nutritious meals without financial strain.

Assistance for students with disabilities

An additional 72 million francs is set aside to improve support for students with disabilities. The funds will be used to develop accessible teaching materials, provide adapted equipment, and ensure accommodations that meet their specific needs.

Rejected amendment on specialized training

A fourth amendment, which proposed 108 million francs for training tailored to the needs of the archipelagos in areas such as water, energy, digital technology, and public service management, was rejected by one vote. The deputy plans to reintroduce and defend this amendment during the full chamber's review of the bill.

Next steps for the amendments

The approval of the three amendments in the finance committee marks a significant initial step. However, they now need to be defended and approved in a public session to be included in the 2027 national budget.