The Department of Inspection and Audit (DIA) under the Ministry of Education has recommended reclaiming Tk1.55 crore embezzled by the governing body and managing committee of Monipur High School and College, as well as Tk2.9 crore embezzled through honoraria to the school's teachers.
The DIA found the irregularities during a recent audit of the institution. The audit report was submitted to the Secondary and Higher Education Division earlier this month.
According to the report, the Governing Body and Managing Committee of Private Educational Institutions Regulations 2009 do not have any provision allowing members of the bodies and committees to take honoraria. However, members of the governing body and managing committee of Monipur School took honoraria amounting to Tk1.55 crore over the last six years.
The DIA also found that teachers of the institutions took around Tk 20.91 crore in the name of special class honoraria from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. The school authorities did not pay the 10% source tax on the total amount, which amounts to Tk2.09 crore.
The report also found that the government lost Tk22.27 crore in revenue as the Monipur High School and College authorities did not deduct VAT from bills to contractors and suppliers. A further Tk10.53 crore was lost as income tax was not deducted from the bills either.
The authorities opened five campuses without the approval of the Ministry of Education, it added.
The DIA has submitted an 11-point recommendation to the government to bring the institution under proper management on the basis of financial transparency and ensure quality education.
When contacted, Secondary and Higher Secondary Division Secretary Solaiman Khan said action would be taken after a review of the report.
TIB calls for more investigations
Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the Monipur school irregularities may just be the tip of the iceberg, urging the DIA to conduct more regular inspections.
He thanked the DIA for identifying the massive irregularities and corruption the Monipur school management has systematically indulged in over the years.
"The DIA recommendations may be justified as departmental action and must be complied with," he added.
"If actions against the perpetrators stop at the simple refund of fractions of the embezzled amounts, it will in reality encourage further continued violations. The abuse of power, corruption, fraud, illicit earning of income and tax/vat evasion are punishable offences under relevant laws," the TIB director further said.
The perpetrators must be duly investigated and brought to account. Otherwise, such corrupt activities will deepen and widen, he said.
