Lotohale, Hikari Kōzō — In a landmark vote held late Thursday evening, the Lily Legislature of Midori-Iro passed the “Rooted Promise Act,” a transformative bill that grants full tuition coverage to all natural-born citizens pursuing higher education across the nation’s universities, technical schools, and trade academies.
The bill, introduced six months ago and met with passionate debate, passed with overwhelming support: 63 in favor, 7 opposed, and 5 abstaining.
At its heart, the Rooted Promise Act guarantees that students will not be burdened by the cost of education — so long as they agree to give back. Under the law, graduates must contribute five years of professional service within Midori-Iro upon completion of their studies. This includes sectors such as healthcare, engineering, teaching, agriculture, and civil service.
Prime Minister Enoa Nalo called the moment “the greatest educational promise of our generation.” She added, “Our young minds are the crown jewels of Midori-Iro. This bill does not just invest in their future — it ensures their brilliance remains here, to build, to lead, and to heal.”
Queen Adriana, who was briefed by lawmakers moments after the vote, issued a public message of support from the Royal Residence, calling the act “a sacred bond between a child and their homeland.” She continued, “When we plant seeds in our own soil, we grow the forest that shelters and sustains us all.”
Reactions across the islands were swift and emotional. Celebrations broke out in university towns like Wailani (Kapua) and Tehalu (Moanaola), where student leaders described the vote as “a sunrise after a long night of struggle.”
Under the legislation, implementation will begin next academic year, with a new commission established to support post-graduate placement and mentorship throughout the five-year service period.
The act also includes an exemption process for those with health, familial, or economic hardships, ensuring compassion remains a core pillar of the law.
As one young student shouted amid a crowd waving flags of all three cultures, “Midori-Iro believes in us — now we get to believe in her.”