Source: Radio New Zealand
The Ministry of Education says it is working with the schools that were highlighted in a recent report from the Office of the Auditor General. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The Ministry of Education says it contacted schools where auditors identified financial problems this year, but did not formally intervene in any.
Earlier this week, the Office of the Auditor General reported audits of schools’ accounts in the 12 months to the end of October found more problems with sensitive spending and more schools in financial difficulty.
They included schools that paid for principals’ private travel, borrowed money without education ministry authorisation or bought food parcels for local families.
The ministry said it contacted every school where the Office of the Auditor General made a finding, ensuring school staff and board members understood their obligations, and had taken appropriate action.
“We continue to work with them, until we are satisfied the school has acted on recommendations, including providing support to manage the issues raised,” it said.
“In many cases, action has already been taken by boards – schools receive their individual findings well ahead of the OAG’s sector report – to improve documentation and processes around spending.”
The ministry said it had a range of powers to influence schools’ behaviour, and intervene if it had significant concerns over school governance or compliance.
“We have not seen a need to exercise those powers following this year’s OAG report,” it said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
