Audit unearths rot at school

Sunday Mail Reporter
A Government investigative audit of Rio Tinto Secondary School in Kwekwe has unearthed abuse of funds, flouting of tender procedures and other malpractices that have prejudiced the institution of tens of thousands of dollars.
The scandal mirrors the situation at many other Government schools where abuse of funds by headmasters and school development committees has become the order of the day.
This has seen the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry to order schools to deposit levies into a Social Security Fund. SDCs are opposed to the Social Security Fund.
According to an audit of Rio Tinto Secondary School by the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry’s Midlands provincial office in Kwekwe District, procurement procedures were not adhered to.
A report dated August 31, 2015 concluded that payment vouchers were signed by the headmaster, Mr Joel Kwashira, without approval of SDC members, while some payments were supported by irrelevant documents.
Some of the payments, auditors said were overstated.
Auditors said the school had no procurement committee, and did not seek quotations for installation of a water reticulation system.
“It was confirmed that the head and the SDC chairman (Mr George Makombe) were withdrawing cash and making payments. This was against a resolution which made that all payments above US$1 000 were to be done through transfers only,” reads part of the audit report.
The audit said school stuff and SDC members were sharing almost US$5 000 every month or two in dubious allowances.
“The school might fail to meet its financial obligations if such numerous and high allowances continue to be paid. The head (Mr Kwashira) and finance committee should scrap off interview, school fees collection and superintendent allowances and also consider reviewing the refreshments or sitting allowances downwards in the interest of developing the school,” recommended the auditors.
Some cash withdrawals were backed by irrelevant documents. For instance, a withdrawal of US$2 811 on March 24, 2015 was supported by receipts and invoices dated March 15, 2015.
Mr Kwashira and his staff were also accused of overstating vouchers. In August 2015, procurement of eggs and other groceries was stated as US$10 600 while documents showed that the items cost US$8 520,05.
Mr Kwashira dismissed the allegations “as an old story which had already been dealt with”.
“There is no such thing at the school; all things were discussed and we dismissed those issued raised in the audit,” he said.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora expressed concern over the abuse of schools resources.
“I want all our stakeholders in the school system to take a hard look at the way resources – both human and material – how these are used to achieve the purposes of education.
“Extremist positions might impede progress; parents must take advantage of the consultative process to factor in their views and suggestions. We are targeting March 31 2016 as the critical date at each school site.”