Educational Finances Face Audit.Â
Educational Finances Face Audit.Title: Audit Unveils Financial Irregularities in Secondary Schools.
Introduction:
An audit conducted by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, has exposed irregularities in secondary schools. This ranging from unauthorized extra fees to questionable financial transfers. The audit, spanning 2021 to part of 2023, scrutinized various development projects and financial practices.
Unapproved Fees and Financial Transfers:
Secondary schools are under scrutiny for charging extra fees without Ministry of Education approval. The audit identified several schools mishandling capitation and grants for development projects. Additionally, unauthorized money transfers to the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA) raised concerns. Not forgetting the association operates independently of government funding.
Questionable Implementation of Development Projects:
Gathungu raised doubts about the lawful execution of development projects in many schools. She emphasized on breaching of the law in the process.
List of Schools in Question:
Specific schools implicated in the report include : Maranda High School, Nyamira Girls High School, Moi Girls High School Kamusinga, Sugoi Girls High School, Chania Girls High School, and St Francis (Mang’u) High School.
Financial Anomalies in Maranda High School:
Maranda High School faced allegations of unauthorized fees collection and unaccounted grants. The report highlighted concerns over irregular cash payments, contract awards, and the lack of value for money.
Financial Queries at Nyamira Girls’ High School:
Nyamira Girls’ High School was flagged for charging unapproved additional fees and discrepancies in student enrollment data, resulting in under-funding.
Moi Girls’ High School Kamusinga Anomalies:
The report on Moi Girls’ High School Kamusinga revealed anomalies such as unsupported grants, unaccounted boarding and school fund payments, and personnel emolument issues.
County Governments Financial Warning:
Auditor General Gathungu warned that about Sh30.53 billion received by county governments over the last three years could be at risk of misappropriation. Payments made through 267 funds created by counties outside the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) raised concerns about fraud and corruption.
Unregulated County Funds CreationÂ
The report emphasized the challenges arising from the unregulated creation of county funds, leading to potential inefficiencies, budgeting duplication, and lack of transparency.
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Conflict of Interest and Lack of Oversight:
Gathungu expressed concerns about a potential conflict of interest and the lack of oversight in county funds managed separately from the main financial system, highlighting the risk of inefficiencies and potential misuse.
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Conclusion:
The audit report calls for increased accountability, adherence to regulations, and proper oversight to ensure transparency and efficiency in financial practices within secondary schools and county governments.
Educational Finances Face Audit.Â