Heads of schools and school management committees neglecting their responsibilities in maintaining their schools have been officially put on notice.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro sounded the warning after discovering the alleged misuse of public grants meant for the general maintenance of Nabua Primary School where it was discovered the buildings were deteriorating.
“Unless school committees and communities take ownership of their schools, the quality of education will always be questionable,” said Mr Radrodro.
As a result, the Minister has also ordered a widespread engagement of community leaders, stakeholders and district officers to address infrastructural needs for schools.
“It is the aim of the Coalition government to work collaboratively with stakeholders to discuss potential pathways to address challenges in the schools.”
Meanwhile, the ministry has refuted claims from a Natusara Primary School committee member in Kadavu that boat owners have refused to transport students to school because they were not being paid their transport assistance.
“The interruption of transportation of students is not affecting the examination of the Year 8 students as they had already sat for the FY8E in Week 3 of Term 3,” said MR Radrodro.
He added the students would sit their exams next week as scheduled.
“Classes are normal at Natusara Primary School as of this morning. The Transport Provider has resumed their services to ensure that students have access to school.
The Education Minister assured that payments have been processed at the standard rate of $1.12.
“It will take approximately five working days to process payments upon submission of all relevant documents to respective District Office.”
The Ministry has urged vendors calling for additional vouchers to submit the necessary documents. These include a letter of request from the service provider, a support letter from the community and the Head of School and a cost analysis.
“The same has been relayed to the transport service providers for the initiation of their request and also emphasised that consultations are progressing on the release of due payments for their services.”
