Ministry cracks down on allowance cheating

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Eastern Division Head of Schools attend the Fiji Head Teachers Association 42nd Annual Conference held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Instances of ineligible teachers filing out rural allowance forms and claiming allowances have recently come to light, says Education Ministry finance director Thomas Prasad.

Mr Prasad cited an example at the Fiji Head Teachers Association 42nd annual conference in Nadi of some teachers teaching in Tailevu but staying in Nausori. What this means is that when the teacher in question filled out the rural allowance form, they would write that they were teaching in a certain area where they were supposed to be posted and residing, but they were in fact travelling daily from another location

“Parliamentarians were taken to task for this very purpose,” he said.

Mr Prasad said the ministry was doing its due diligence to ensure it pays the right people where they are supposed to be served.

“I’d like to say to you, to all of the guests here, one of the definitions that has changed dramatically from Fiji is the rural that was before and the rural that we have now.

“In the past, there was not enough access in terms of growth, electricity, and connectivity.”

In a separate interview Mr Prasad said: “I think it’s the advocacy to train them. People need to be educated, and that’s why we are doing our due diligence.”