The Ministry of Education is investigating five schools in Margibi County for holding kindergarten graduation in violation of health protocols and MOE’s “no graduation” mandate in the County.
The County Education Officer of Margibi, Stephen H. Toee, Jr. on a local Radio show (Day Break Margibi) on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 said his office has footages of the schools holding graduation programs in violation of government’s order.
He indicated that four of the schools are located in lower Margibi, while one is in Kakata, but did not disclose the names of the schools on grounds that they are still investigating to ascertain why administrators of the schools violated the orders.
Mr. Toee asserted that upon conclusion, the names of the schools will be made known to the public.
He stated that the local MOE office will leviel penalty against any school that will be found guilty and forward to the central office of the Ministry.
According to him, said the operational licenses of schools that will be found liable will pay between $400,000 to L$500,000 fine and operational licenses will be revoked and further action will be be taken.
Additionally, Mr. Toee said schools fined will be given timeline to pay whatever fine that will be imposed into government revenue and receipt will be made available to his office.
Mr. Toee recounted that his office will not compromise with any school that tends to violate the government mandate.
He said communications will be sent to the schools involved based on the evidences his office has.
“We’ve been told that all other things that have to do with graduation, all non academic activities are hereby suspended under the system and then somebody will go ahead to graduate, it doesn’t make sense to me” he lamented.
In a related development, the Margibi CEO has warned against premature closure of schools adding that any school closing before the end days will also bear the full weight of the law.
He said monitors will be sent on the field to insure that schools do not close ahead of the Ministry’s stipulated dates.
