Auditor identifies ‘weak controls’

THE Auditor-General’s 2019 report on the Social Services Sector tabled in Parliament during its last sitting cited the Ministry of Education for “generally weak” controls over how it handled public finances.

“Internal controls over revenue, administration of the Free Education Grant, reconciliation of accounts and records management were generally weak,” stated the Office of the AuditorGeneral (OAG).

“These relate to misallocation of revenue, noncompliance to the policy on utilisation of Free Education Grant in accordance with prescribed percentage allocation and non-provision of accounting records for audit verification.”

The OAG pointed out the bus fare scheme was allocated $29.5 million.

“The ministry was not able to provide the detailed breakdown of payments made to the supplier amounting to $5.1 million.

“As such, the accuracy and completeness of the Operating Grants and Transfers account balance reflected in the Statement of Receipts and Expenditure could not be confirmed.

“If these issues are not addressed promptly, it will result in material misstatements and possible financial losses.”

The OAG stated the administration and management of the bus fare scheme “were generally found to be weak”.

The Auditor-General had also highlighted this in the Performance Audit Report on the Administration and Management of Bus Fare Assistance through E-ticketing for School Children, Elderlies and Persons with Disability in 2020.