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PAC focuses on multimillion dollar overpayment to teachers
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 RJR Jamaica
Gaping holes in the Ministry of Education's financial system came under heavy scrutiny during Tuesday's sitting of the Public Accounts Committee.
Auditor General Pamela Munroe Ellis noted <span style="font-weight: bold">the overpayment of $4.7 million to 207 teachers who have since left the employ of the Ministry.</span>
In giving a progress report on the recovery effort, Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry Audrey Sewell said the Ministry is seeking to recover the funds from the pensions of the individuals concerned.
However PAC Chairman Dr. Omar Davies was less than impressed with the urgency with which the matter is being treated.
"Well we still have $4.5 million outstanding and on an individual basis we have placed the information on their salary cards and on their file," said Ms. Ellis.
"How many people are still in the service?" Dr. Davies asked.
"We know of four who are seconded to different projects and are at teachers' college."
"Four out of 207?" Mr. Davies asked.
"Yes." Ms. Ellis replied.
"How many are not at teachers' college but are still in the service?"
"I am sorry but I do not have that information, sir. I am told about 20," she responded.
"So for essentially 180 you have given up the ghost," the PAC Chairman commented.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> tings hard a yaad yes, but wid incidents like dis, do we as citizens continue to fall dung on doing our civic part fi uphold di country?</span>
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 RJR Jamaica
Gaping holes in the Ministry of Education's financial system came under heavy scrutiny during Tuesday's sitting of the Public Accounts Committee.
Auditor General Pamela Munroe Ellis noted <span style="font-weight: bold">the overpayment of $4.7 million to 207 teachers who have since left the employ of the Ministry.</span>
In giving a progress report on the recovery effort, Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry Audrey Sewell said the Ministry is seeking to recover the funds from the pensions of the individuals concerned.
However PAC Chairman Dr. Omar Davies was less than impressed with the urgency with which the matter is being treated.
"Well we still have $4.5 million outstanding and on an individual basis we have placed the information on their salary cards and on their file," said Ms. Ellis.
"How many people are still in the service?" Dr. Davies asked.
"We know of four who are seconded to different projects and are at teachers' college."
"Four out of 207?" Mr. Davies asked.
"Yes." Ms. Ellis replied.
"How many are not at teachers' college but are still in the service?"
"I am sorry but I do not have that information, sir. I am told about 20," she responded.
"So for essentially 180 you have given up the ghost," the PAC Chairman commented.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> tings hard a yaad yes, but wid incidents like dis, do we as citizens continue to fall dung on doing our civic part fi uphold di country?</span>
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