SHP probes ‘ghost’ schools

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 02nd April, 2013

By PETER ESOP WARI
SOUTHERN Highlands provincial education board is investigating how some schools no longer operating are still being allocated tuition fee free subsidies.
Complaints have been raised by Southern Highlanders that some “ghost” schools were operating and signatories to the accounts were accessing the funds.
They are believed to be manipulating the system by submitting false claims for their own gain.
Provincial education adviser Joel Raitano said a letter published in The National that Sopise community school at the border of Southern Highlands and Gulf was still receiving the subsidy despite being closed for nearly 20 years.
He said the school was in a remote area and teachers posted there often left because there were no proper healthcare services.
He said the board closed Sopise and opened Kandopa community school but was using the Sopise school code and bank account name.
“Many schools in the Kagua-Erave district are accessible by air or many days of walking. The teachers posted there do not take up their posts. There was also a shortage of teachers which forced classes to be suspended,” he said.
Raitano said in 2010, Kandopa community school was registered and Sopises’s code and account name was restored and the school was re-opened.
“We need to see things for ourselves and say things without exaggerating and if anyone has good plans and ideas to help improve our education system, it’s good that you can come forward and contribute,” he said.