Parents misusing education funds, students dropping out

Concerns have emerged over the misuse of the government’s back-to-school education assistance, with reports that some parents are diverting funds away from their children’s education.

This was revealed in the standing Committe on Foreign Affairs and Defence's consolidated review of the Ministry of Education Annual Reports (2021-2023), tabled in Parliament this month.

“The statement revealed that some students drop out shortly after receiving the funds, and that parents allegedly spend the money on non-educational items.”

The Parliamentary Committee has recommended a shift to attendance-based screening and a voucher system for school supplies to curb abuse and ensure accountability. Currently, there is no strict monitoring in place to track how the assistance is being used.

According to the statement, students who receive funds but fail to attend school regularly are undermining the intent of the program, which was designed to ease the financial burden of education on families.

“The Ministry is exploring more controlled disbursement models to make sure support goes directly toward educational expenses.”

Stakeholders argue that vouchers would ensure that students receive essential items like books, uniforms, and stationery, while discouraging misuse.

This issue comes amid wider concerns about transport barriers and school attendance, especially in rural areas. Some parents may be using the funds to cover daily living costs due to economic hardship, inadvertently compromising their child’s education.

As the Ministry reviews these assistance mechanisms, it faces the challenge of balancing support for families with stronger accountability measures to protect student welfare. 

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