Education Ministry overspent by millions

THE Ministry of Education spent N$312,4 million more than was budgeted for in the 2010/2011 financial year.

The overspending at the two main divisions, namely primary and secondary education, was N$214,7 million and N$158 million respectively. This totals N$372,7 million, but because there was under-spending of N$60,2 million in other departments the total over-expenditure was reduced to N$312,4 million.According to the Auditor General’s report on the accounts of the Ministry of Education for the financial year ended March 31 2011 tabled in the National Assembly, the main reason for the overspending was the appointment of relief teachers in the place of permanent teachers who took sick leave.There was no budgetary provision for relief teachers.According to the Auditor General another contributing factor is that some schools are overstaffed.’The Ministry also experienced an increase in the payment of leave gratuity due to resignations and deaths and a shortfall was also carried forward from the previous financial year as a result of insufficient funds provided by the Ministry of Finance to cover the improvement of conditions and a general salary increase.’It was also reported that about N$805 000 in hostel fees was outstanding from 2 597 students, while Treasury authorised the writing off of N$651 215 in hostel fees.The majority of the outstanding and written-off fees were from hostels in the Khomas and Karas regions.The Auditor General determined that the Education Ministry has 40 separate accounts at four different banks, with a closing balance of N$93,5 million.