Some schools have been referred to FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) for investigation over alleged misuse of funds.

At the same time, Minister for Education, Mahendra Reddy, said they were training schools with governance issues.

This is the first time Mr Reddy has announced that FICAC had been asked to investigate allegations of misuse of funds.

It is understood it underscored the seriousness of some of the findings of the ministry as it continues its random audit of schools across the country.

Mr Reddy said he could not disclose the number of schools under the FICAC radar.

He said, however, school management committees found to have failed to fulfill their responsibilities were stood down.

He said the ministry would conduct meetings to elect new officials to take over the running of the schools.

Mr Reddy said the misuse of funds was widespread and it was matter of grave concern.

He said the audit carried out by the ministry had discovered that schools being investigated and assisted by the ministry spread across the country.

Mr Reddy said the ministry would have to centralise funds and manage them for certain schools if they found them misusing funds.

Meanwhile, Mr Reddy said that Queen Victoria School in Tailevu was expected to resume classes by January next year.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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