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BISHOP. WE UNDERSTAND THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 16 TEACHERS INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE HAVE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BISHOP THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS UNION HAS ALSO HAD A MEETING, WHILE THE 16 TEACHERS HAVE HAD 3 LONG MEETING TOTALLING THIRTEEN HOURS WITH
THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
H. NO TEACHERS HAVE BEEN DISMISSED. 16 HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SCHOOL THAT NO NEW CONTRACTS WOULD BE OFFERED ON EXPIRY OF THEIR CURRENT CONTRACTS ON 31 AUGUST 1978. NON-RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS DOES NOT CARRY ANY RIGHT OF APPEAL.
1. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY HAS MADE IT CLEAR IN
A PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT :
1) WITHOUT CONDUCTING A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF PAST EVENTS
RELATING TO THE SCHOOL IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR HIS COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE: AND
(11) THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE BROAD AND FLEXIBLE ENOUGH
FOR THEM TO COMMENT ON WHATEVER MATTER IS DEEMED RELEVANT AND TO
MAKE ANY NECESSARY RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE ALLEGED FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES WERE, OF COURSE, FULLY
INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE AND HAVE RESULTED IN ACTION THROUGH THE COURTS. THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY HAS ACCESS TO OFFICIAL PAPERS, INCLUDING THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT CHECKS SUBMITTED TO THE POLICE.
J. THE CODE OF AID WHICH REGULATES GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDISED SCHOOL REQUIRES ALL SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES TO APPOINT PROFESSIONAL AUDITORS TO AUDIT THEIR ACCOUNTS AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE. THE GOLDEN JUBILEE SECONDARY SCHOOL CASE HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT THIS SYSTEM IS NOT ADEQUATE AND THE CODE OF AID
HAS ALREADY BEEN TIGHTENED TO PERMIT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ACCESS TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNTS OF SPONSORING BODIES. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS CURRENTLY FURTHER REVIEWING HIS FINANCIAL
CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDISED SCHOOL IN CONSULTATION WITH THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION
AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
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