Only 630 out of 738 primary schools in the country have filed their Fiji Education Management Information System requirements needed for their Free Education Grant (FEG) assessments.
Speaking at the 42nd Fiji Head Teachers Association Conference in Nadi, Ministry of Education senior auditor Ana Waqanisau said this while explaining the issues the ministry encountered with FEG audit reports.
While addressing more than 700 head teachers, Ms Waqanisau questioned how the heads of schools were administering their work without the proper use of the grants as indicated by the audit reports.
“Some of the schools that we have gone through in respect with their FEG allocations, you must know that we have some noncompliant schools,” said Ms Waqanisau.
“You know who you are.
“You are not complying, and I am just wondering how you are achieving that strategic intent of the ministry and the government as a whole in providing that platform of learning that is adequate for the children of this country.
“So if you are not being compliant with the policies that are related to FEG, how are you going to meet your goals?
“Because you are declining the students of that assistance that they need.”
She said an audit of the use of the grants should not be seen as a negative process.
“”The next time when you see an audit report on your table it is not there to penalise you or pinpoint the errors that you have made in whatever process that you do especially in the FEG aspect and any other policy or process that you have to do.
“You take it as a positive remark in actually moving forward because the internal audit is highlighting your errors and it gives you a level of confidence moving forward.”