By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt Hagen
The Western Highlands Provincial Education Board will be investigating the mismanagement of Tuition Free Fee funding in schools in the province. PEB Chairman, Lawrence Pena, said several secondary and high schools in the province are mismanaging public funds, which is unlawful. Those who are found to be guilty will be referred to the fraud squad unit for further investigations.
The first three schools which that will be investigated are Hagen Park Secondary school, which receives almost K2 Million TFF funding each year. The other two schools are Ogelbang and Kubaya High Schools.
The Provincial Education Board has received reports of continuous misusing of school resources, such as the TFF funding. PEB Chairman, Lawrence Pena says school principals are not taking the responsibility to manage their TFF components. Despite receiving more than K200, 000 to K1 Million each year, there are still no changes in the school’s curriculum and infrastructure development.
Western Highlands Deputy Provincial Administrator, Stanley Maip says the board and Provincial Administration are doing this to set the precedent so that schools must learn to be accountable. Maip said they want the schools to use the TFF funding wisely so that they produce quality education or learning, as well as upgrading their curriculum and infrastructure.
The investigation team will bypass the Teachers Services Commission disciplinary processes, and will hand over reports to fraud squad for harsh punishments to those responsible. The Board says that the TSC disciplinary processes are outdated and is lenient.
More schools will be investigated later starting with High Schools and Secondary Schools, later Elementary and Primary. All school principals are asked to prepare their files for the investigation team to investigate.
