Under the Financial Management Act of 2004, any revenue generated by the hiring out of any government school ground or facility has to be transferred to the Government Consolidated Account.

That is the stand of the Education Ministry after revelations by Suva Grammar Principal Waisake Ravatu that money generated from the hiring out of their school ground is now taken by the Ministry.

While addressing some former students as well as current students, Ravatu outlined his plan for the school for this year, where he said that the school is in need of upgrading its facilities, however has lost the chance to use the revenue from the hiring out of their school grounds.

According to the Policy of Community Use of Government School, following the 2004 Financial Management Act, any fee generated from the use of government school facilities must be transferred to the government coffers.

Meanwhile, the Policy goes on to mention that the only instances where fees are exempt is when the school is used as an evacuation centre and in cases like crime stoppers or for elections.

The Ministry is yet to comment on when an upgrading of Suva Grammar School properties will be carried out.