‘Nearest school, best school’ project fund misuse?
02 Mar 2022
‘Nearest school, best school’ project fund misuse?
02 Mar 2022
CTU seeks Education Ministry probe
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraClaiming that the financial allocations made for the “Langama Pasala Hondama Pasala (the closest school is the best school)” project, which was implemented during the tenure of the previous United National Front (UNF)-led Government, have been largely misused, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has emphasised that the Education Ministry should intervene and conduct a speedy investigation into the matter.Speaking to The Morning yesterday (1), CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that the total financial allocation for the project, a sum of Rs. 68,000 million, has been distributed among the respective provincial councils. However, he alleged that in many provinces, the relevant project was not implemented properly using the money.“For example, Rs. 5,604 million had been allocated for this project in the North Central Province (NCP), but a subsequent audit revealed that some schools in the Province had even paid for this non-operational project,” he claimed.He further said that the CTU had, in 2021, lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in this regard, but that the law has not yet been enforced against those responsible.“Funds allocated for this project have been misused not only in the North Central Province but also in many other areas. For example, we have received information that some contractors have even been paid for the abandoned project,” he said.He also emphasised that the Education Ministry should intervene and conduct a speedy investigation into such irregularities and take action to recover the monies from those responsible for such.Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera was not available for comment.
