DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MIGRATES FROM CHEQUE PAYMENTS TO ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER
By: Demelza Passingan
The Department of Education has transitioned from cheque payments to Electronic Funds Transfer.
According to Department of Education Secretary, Dr. Uke Kombra, this transition marks a new chapter in the payment system of the Department of Education, where it will change the way it manages and operates in the delivery of education services.
He also noted that this change from manual cheques to Electronic Funds Transfer will take some time to understand; however, he is positive that the Education Department can manage it.
“Nevertheless, this system is going to force us to think differently, work differently, and we are looking forward to this new system of payment. It will make us think differently in terms of accountability and transparency,” said Dr. Kombra.
Dr. Kombra urged the staff of the Department of Education to thoroughly check details when making payments to ensure less pressure is placed on finance and is hopeful that some of the inefficiencies and delays in payments will be addressed in the future, especially in meeting payment deadlines.
“For example, when we send a hundred-plus cheques for clearance, we might as well have a turnaround deadline, so we know that if it is 10 days, we are going to get a response within 10 days,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Department of Finance Deputy Secretary Tom Tiki said transitioning away from cheque payments will eliminate severe administrative backlogs and mitigate payment delays.
“The integration of the Electronic Funds Transfer system in the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) is far more than an operational upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift in how public funds are managed, processed, and accounted for within one of the nation’s most important social sectors,” said Mr. Tiki.
He explained that by transitioning away from manual, paper-heavy payment processes to automated digital disbursements, they are directly strengthening their internal controls against errors, delays and operational inefficiencies.
He added that this closed digital environment significantly curtails the risk of unauthorised offline entries, fraudulent refund claims and system abuse.
“It provides the exact transparency required to meet strict international compliance standards while safeguarding the public funds entrusted to educate the nation’s youth,” Mr. Tiki said.
Dr. Kombra reassured the Department of Education staff responsible for processing cheque payments that no staff member would be removed from the department. However, they would be redeployed to other jobs within the system.
