Principal accused of misusing school funds
Written by on May 22, 2024
Teachers at a combined school in the Eenhana circuit have raised concerns over disappearing school funds and payments unaccounted for.
The teachers say after several attempts to get answers, they decided to take the matter to the relevant authorities.
“I questioned the principal and other individuals at the school on the matter several times, but I never got straight answers, just answers to brush me off,” says a teacher who chooses to remain anonymous.
According to a letter dated 17 April 2024 by the anonymous teacher to the Directorate of Education of the Eenhana circuit, the teachers were approached by the school board chairperson about suspicious transactions made by the school principal.
Suspicions arose when payments to the amount of N$43 000 were made for apparent machine servicing deemed urgent during the holiday.
The letter further says deposits of N$1 220 and N$10 000 were made into the school’s account on 28 and 29 September, respectively, by the school principal.
This was questioned as there was no reason for the deposits.
The school reportedly received an amount close to N$304 665 in 2023, and in total spent close to N$252 635.
This means that at the end of 2023 close to N$50 000 should have remained in the school’s bank account.
“To my suprise, what is reflecting on the school bank account, as per the bank statement dated 6 December 2023, is only N$4 680,89, while on the school report for the utilisation of the school grant year 2023, the remaining balance is N$54 570,” says the anonymous source.
The teacher suspected misuse of the school’s finances by the school’s principal, the letter states.
The Namibian contacted the school’s principal, who denied all allegations.
“I am aware of the allegations, but I can confirm they are untrue,” says the principal.
When asked why a balance stated in the financial report is different from what is in the bank statement, the principal said it was an oversight. According to Eenhana circuit director of education Isak Hamatwi, his office is aware of the allegations and investigations into the matter are currently underway.
“We sent the accountants to the school and we are currently waiting for a report back,” he says.
Anti-Corruption Commission spokesperson Josephine Nghituwamata says they have received the complaint regarding the school in April.
“The matter is still in the preliminary process of the inquiry,” she says.
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