Warning to principals, school board chairs

The recent arrest of the 51-year-old principal of an undisclosed school in Jamaica by detectives of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch — attached to the Crime Investigation Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force — for withdrawing more than $700,000 from the school’s account should be a warning to principals and chairs of school boards who have the responsibility to manage the affairs and accounts of schools.

Yes, principals and chairmen are expected to exercise good judgement and fiduciary discipline in the execution of their tasks, but where were the internal controls? Where was the internal audit team in the regional and central offices of the Ministry of Education that should have prevented the financial impropriety from going undetected since 2013?

Parent teachers’ associations, old/past students’ associations, and other stakeholders in various school communities in Jamaica are urged to be alert and vigilant and hold principals, school boards, and the Ministry of Education culpable so as to ensure that there is probity, transparency, and accountability in managing and disbursing money that is entrusted to their governance and care.

Vincent Samuels

Black River, St Elizabeth

harisamu525@yahoo.com