The Ministry of Education has reported instances of fund mismanagement in schools to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). These incidents involve institutions that received funding for projects but did not provide receipts and either did not complete the projects or did not start them at all.
Ilisoni Waqa, the Principal Education Officer from the Ministry of Education’s Assets and Infrastructure Services, highlighted that FICAC is currently conducting interviews and seeking documentation as part of their investigation. “We have referred cases for audit, and we are assisting them by providing the necessary evidence to support their investigations,” Mr. Waqa stated.
When questioned about how many schools had been referred to FICAC, he did not have specific numbers but promised to provide that information later. He also withheld additional details regarding the schools involved.
In a related case, a request for help was made by Nasoki Village for the completion of a double-storey classroom. Mr. Waqa confirmed that assistance had been granted, but the school could not provide the required receipts for documentation.
He stressed the importance of using government funds responsibly and ensuring proper documentation is in place. “When funds are granted to schools, we expect them to be utilized for their intended purposes. Schools with good record-keeping are more likely to be considered for future funding,” Mr. Waqa emphasized. He urged schools to maintain comprehensive records of receipts for any project-related expenditures.