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Prince Moore reports
The Ministry of Education has ordered a full audit of St. Francis Primary and Infant School's PATH account records to determine how funds have been used and whether there has been any breach of financial regulations.
The audit was ordered following significant discrepancies in the management and use of Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) funds.
According to preliminary findings, the school has been charging the PATH account $650 per meal for students on the programme.
This is well above the prescribed rate of $150 for students in grades 1 to 3 and $200 for students in grades 4 to 6.
This practice has resulted in the rapid depletion of allocated PATH funds, severely limiting the number of days hot meals can be provided to students.
The review of the records also revealed that only 100 students are being fed.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Kasan Troupe said the ministry will not tolerate any action that compromises the well-being of the country's most vulnerable students.
Dr. Troupe says the ministry has provided $4.6 million to provide lunch for 154 students on PATH for 190 school days.
She reiterated that the lunch is not to be priced with a profit margin, as in addition to the grants, the ministry covers the cost for the cooks, maintenance and utilities.
Dr. Troupe said the ministry has also advised schools that where there are challenges, they need to report same and not shift the cost to parents.
She said the ministry has not received any request from St. Francis Primary and Infant School for additional support for nutritional needs.
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