By Vicent Emong
KUMI — Head teachers in Kumi District have been warned against diverting or mismanaging government funds allocated for school activities and learner welfare.
The caution was issued by Kesiron Okia, a Senior Education Officer at Kumi District Local Government, during a planning meeting attended by head teachers from 75 government-aided schools across the district.
According to Okia, the meeting was organized to prepare schools for second-term academic and co-curricular activities scheduled to take place during the term.
Among the key activities discussed were sports competitions in football, netball, volleyball, and handball, as well as scouting and Girl Guides programs.
Okia revealed that the district is also preparing for a major Girl Guides camp expected to take place later this year.
He explained that schools are expected to align their work plans with government funds that are expected to be released to school accounts.
“Schools must plan properly and ensure that all government funds are utilized for their intended purposes so that learners benefit fully from the programs,” Okia emphasized.
The education officer further urged schools to include Ebola prevention measures in their term budgets following alerts from the Ministry of Health regarding Ebola concerns in the country.
According to Okia, schools are expected to strengthen hygiene and preventive measures by installing handwashing facilities, purchasing thermometers for temperature screening, and providing soap, clean water, and sanitizers.
He also encouraged school administrators to regularly sensitize learners about Ebola prevention during assemblies and classroom sessions.
While addressing accountability, Okia stressed the importance of transparency and discipline in financial management within schools.
He reminded head teachers that school budgets should first be prepared by School Finance Committees and later approved by School Management Committees before implementation.
“Government funds are meant to directly benefit learners and support school programs. Head teachers should avoid diverting money from its intended purpose,” he warned.
Despite the caution, Okia commended schools in Kumi District for maintaining a relatively good accountability record, noting that no major cases of financial mismanagement had been reported so far.
Meanwhile, Agwang Christine, the Head Teacher of Kakures Primary School, described the meeting as important in helping schools prepare adequately for second-term activities.
She explained that funds had already been earmarked for co-curricular activities including music, dance and drama, sports competitions, scouting, and Girl Guides programs.
Christine urged fellow head teachers to ensure proper utilization of the allocated funds so that learners can benefit both academically and physically.
“We must implement these activities responsibly and ensure that the resources provided truly benefit the learners,” she said.
Education officials in Kumi District continue to emphasize accountability, effective planning, and learner-centered management as schools resume operations for the second term.
