AN 11-page report detailing allegations against Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy has been put forward to Government members in Parliament. The report, which was seen by The Fiji Times yesterday, detailed concerns within the Education Ministry and numerous allegations against Dr Reddy, which included among other things the possibility of bringing disrepute to the Government. Dr Reddy, who had earlier said he was fed up of the issues raised by former Education Ministry acting permanent secretary Basundra Kumar, could not be reached for comments concerning the allegations yesterday. Acting permanent secretary for Ministry of Education Kelera Taloga, who Dr Reddy referred to for comments on Saturday relating to Mrs Kumars suspension, could not be reached for comments as well yesterday. When contacted yesterday, Mrs Kumar confirmed filing a report to the head of Government in Parliament, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua, and which was copied to other members as well. The report related to the alleged matters of concern in the Education Ministry and regarding the minister following a request by Colonel Tikoduadua for Mrs Kumar to summarise the issues. Mrs Kumar alleged breaches of civil service procedures, parochialism, cronyism and favouritism by Dr Reddy, changes to appointment criteria of officials at the ministrys Curriculum Development Unit and changing of the minimum qualification requirements within the ministry. In her report, she also alleged that the minister had started making structural changes within the ministry without the Governments approval, termination of some school teachers without following proper disciplinary processes and disregard of Cabinets collective decision and unilateral decision-making. Mrs Kumar also claimed the abolishment of some external examinations was a concerted policy of the Bainimarama Government in 2009 which the minister disregarded and decided to reintroduce this year. She also alleged the minister was non-participative, had a self-accrediting micro-management style and undermined collegiality, quality and productivity. Mrs Kumar alleged in her report that the minister had failed to deal properly with school managements as they had gone back sad and dissatisfied after seeking an audience with him. She claimed in her report that the morale of senior officials in the ministry was low as some were frightened to say or do things under the ministers leadership. fijitimes/story.aspx?id=290858
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 01:56:24 +0000
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