School funds misuse under FICAC spotlight

School heads have been warned against misusing public funds after the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) highlighted a case involving $40,000 meant for teachers' quarters. 

FICAC principal education and anti-corruption officer Banuve Wainimala said the money was provided to a school specifically for the construction of teachers' quarters but was instead deposited into the head’s personal account. 

Ms Wainimala revealed the case while addressing head teachers at the Fiji Head Teachers Association 43rd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau, Nadi, yesterday. 

“$40,000 was given to the school, and that money was supposed to help with the building of the teachers quarters, but instead of that money being used for the school quarters, the head of school decided to deposit the money in their personal account,” she said. 

Ms Wainimala said only $15,000 was later provided for construction materials, leaving $25,000 unaccounted for. 

“When the time came for them to buy materials and stuff to construct the quarters, the person only gave in $15,000. 

“So, $25,000 was unaccounted for. For them to recover the $25,000, the head of school decided to have a school fundraising to fund the building of the quarters again.” 

She said the case demonstrated why school heads must maintain strict financial controls and follow established procedures when managing funds entrusted to schools. 

“When you know that the money is not meant for you, it is meant for the building of the quarters; it is not supposed to be going in your personal accounts.” 

Ms Wainimala said public officers must be mindful of the trust placed in them and carry out their duties responsibly. 

“You have to be mindful as public officers; you have to be carrying out your duty accordingly, effectively and efficiently, and be mindful of the level of trust bestowed upon you as a public servant.” 

She urged school heads to ensure funds allocated for education and school development were used only for their intended purposes. 

Ms Wainimala said corruption could not be completely eradicated but could be minimised through strong internal systems, proper monitoring and ethical leadership. 

“We cannot totally eradicate corruption because we understand, and we acknowledge that if humans walk the earth, corruption is here to stay. The only thing we can do is to minimise the chances of corruption happening in various segments of society we are part of.” 

“A polite, bold no has to come from you and me,” she said. 

She stressed that transparency and accountability must begin with those entrusted to lead Fiji’s schools. 

Grant use process  

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro says this is an ongoing issue. 

He said the responsibility lies with the heads of schools to ensure funds were spent as per the intent of the grant. 

"We have the school management handbook that every school head should have access to to get themselves appointed with different percentages of the allocations of the use of the free education grant.  

"We also audit schools if we receive information about allegations of mismanagement of funds and rotate school heads out of the school when the allegations do come." 

Mr Radrodro concerns raised about the high number of school heads in headquarters was part of the process of ensuring free education grants were properly managed.