The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information recently launched an investigation and has since ordered a full audit into the operations at the St Francis Primary and Infant School.

“This follows preliminary findings that point to significant discrepancies in the management and use of the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) lunch funds,” the Ministry said in a statement.

It said preliminary reports indicate that the school has been charging the PATH account $650.00 per meal for students on the programme, which is well above the prescribed rate of $150.00 for children in grades 1-3 and $200.00 for children in grades 4-6.

“This practice has resulted in the rapid depletion of allocated PATH funds, severely limiting the number of days hot meals can be provided to students,” the Ministry said, adding that “the review of the records also revealed that only 100 students are being fed”.

“We will not tolerate any action that compromises the well-being of our most vulnerable students,” said Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.

Troupe shared that, “The Ministry has provided $4.6 million to provide lunch for 154 students on PATH for 190 school days, and we reiterate that the lunch is not to be priced with a profit margin, as in addition to the grants, the Ministry covers the cost for the cooks, maintenance, and utilities.

The Ministry has since advised the schools that where there are challenges, they need to report same to the Ministry and not shift the cost to parents. Troupe shared that the Ministry has not received any request for additional support for nutrition needs from St Francis Primary and Infant School.

The permanent secretary said the Ministry has ordered a full audit of the school’s PATH account records to determine how funds have been used and whether there has been any breach of financial regulations.