A senior Ministry of Education official is now under police investigation for alleged abuse of funds amounting to more than $80,000.

Labasa Police have confirmed that the senior civil servant is alleged to have used the money allocated by the government for the development of rural schools in Bua and Nabouwalu.

The official who has now been transferred to Suva allegedly committed the offence while being employed in the Education Ministry office in Labasa.

The matter was reported to police after the school committee found out that the money was missing.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that he allegedly used the money for personal gain.