THE Ministry of Education has reduced its boarding grants for primary schools from $33.75 million to $30 million after most schools failed to comply with ministry requirements.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro told Parliament this week that the $3.75 million reduction under the Free Education Grant was mainly because most grant recipients failed to submit important financial reports and hold annual general meetings.
“The utilisation rate and disbursement rate of the Free Education Grant given to schools is based on their compliance,” Mr Radrodro said.
“One of the major challenges in our schools is complying with the Ministry of Education’s rules, criteria and handbook, as he is fully aware.
“The disbursement is based on per capita and the compliance of schools.
“That is why the utilisation rate for this year has also reduced because of schools’ compliance with the Free Education Grant criteria.”
He said every student was entitled to the FEG, but schools must comply with ministry requirements before funds were disbursed.
“They are entitled to the Free Education Grant, but every school has to meet the criteria that have been set.
“In our previous experience, most schools did not comply. Most schools did not submit their information on time, including audited financial statements, annual general meeting records and proper acquittals that need to be supplied on a regular basis.”
