School closed after alleged funds misuse

Term one for all schools in Vanuatu has recently started but Ulei Junior Secondary School on Efate will continue to close its doors until such time when a new principal has adequate funding to operate the school, the Principal Education Officer (PEO) Shefa Province said.

PEO, Elmo Joseph, confirmed that the former principal is held accountable for allegedly mismanaging the school funds last year.

“All the school’s budget has been drained while under the management of the former principal. He (former principal) has to explain himself to the school council and authorities concerned how the money was spent”.

He explained that the government through the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) cannot release the school grant to the school concerned because it has not received nor seen any financial report from last year.

Last September, the Teaching Service Commission suspended the former principal based on his alleged “poor performance and negligence of duty”, according to PEO Joseph.

Joseph said his office has issued an order for an audit to take place regarding the alleged mishandling of the school’s finance.

The PEO who has regretted that a former school head’s actions has not only paralyzed the operations of the schools, but also victimised approximately 100 students by infringing their right to education, said he cannot promise an exact date on when the school should open its doors. He, however, advices parents and guardians to always listen to the radios or read the newspapers to find out the right date.

Ulei Junior Secondary School is located in the area of Tanoliu village.