adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will at the beginning of next term deploy auditors for a second countrywide audit of school funds.
The first audit revealed that more than $1,2 billion in development levies is circulating in government and mission schools and a huge chunk of it is being abused by heads and bursars.
Other alleged culprits dipping into the $1,2 billion include School Development Association (SDA) officials.
The ministry’s public relations officer Patrick Zumbo said the audit will start as soon as schools open for the second term.
“The ministry will conduct another audit when schools open next term as it moves to ensure public funds aren’t abused,” said Zumbo.
He said the move is meant to weed out corrupt officials who have been engaging in fraudulent activities.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora last month said the government was considering removing cash control from SDAs.
He said there was disconnection between the levies collected and their use, a development he described as shocking.
Last year, the heads of Milton and Townsend high schools in Bulawayo were suspended on allegations of abuse of office following an audit by the ministry at the schools.
derick.khumalo