Education Minister Doctor Mahendra Reddy stresses that a cleanup is need in the Education Ministry.
This follows Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s announcement that the delivery of the free text books to schools will be delayed as the printing companies chosen have not printed the books on time.
Sayed-Khaiyum has confirmed that two of the three companies that the Education Ministry officials recommended to give the printing of text books to, were the same companies that were used last year and who had also caused delays.
He has reported the ministry officials who are making these recommendations to FICAC.
It has also been confirmed that the printing companies were not asked about specific timelines for the delivery of the text books.
When questioned by Fijivillage Doctor Reddy said that he had also reported a matter to FICAC last year.
When asked on why the same printing companies were given the printing job again, Doctor Reddy says it was hoped that this problem would not come up again.
He says the matter was referred to FICAC but it did not do much on it.
The Education Minister says the matter is with FICAC and he does not want to say anything further on it.
When we questioned FICAC on the report filed by the Education Ministry last year, FICAC said they wish to emphasize that neither the Minister for Education has referred any complaint to FICAC nor has he requested any update from FICAC on the purported complaint against the officers of the Education Ministry for any alleged collusion for printing of text books.
FICAC says they are unable to comment on the Minister’s concerns.
Doctor Reddy who is out of Suva says he will now find out when the complaint was lodged, and then comment on the issue.
