Headteachers in Pader District have been asked to return 51 million Shillings of Universal Primary Education funds they collected from 170 primary schools.
The head teachers were accused of collecting a minimum of 300,000 Shillings from each of the 170 primary schools for a planned tour, and training at the Uganda Management Institute, UMI.
Justine Ocen, the Pader Vice LCV Chairperson, noted that the schools collected 300,000 shillings from the schools for a planned tour and 150,000 shillings to train head teachers on financial management.
Ocen says it is unclear if all the schools gave 450,000 shillings, but stressed that each school should receive whatever they contributed in full.
He added that the planned activities by the head teachers were poorly planned and the CAO, councilors, and RDC have all resolved that the funds should be taken back to the respective schools.
Ocen revealed that the 51 milling Shillings is still on the account of the chairperson of the association because the District Executive Committee had stopped its use for the planned activities.
He says the decision by the head teachers to go for a tour and capacity building is great, but it can’t be funded by UPE funds.
Milton Odongo, the Resident District Commissioner- RDC of Pader district, in a letter dated August 31, noted that the act of mobilizing money from schools for tour and training at UMI is a serious offense (diversion) contrary to UPE guidelines.
“…the purpose of this letter is to direct you to ensure that the funds collected and kept in the account of the Chairperson Head Teachers’ Association are refunded within one week from the date of [issuing] this letter,” the letter read in part.
When contacted, the District Education Officer- DEO of Pader, Margaret Alanyo, said she couldn’t give any information on the matter, because she is not allowed to comment on issues without getting permission from her superiors. URN