Kadjebi, May 26, GNA- A two-day Entity Tender Committees workshop for bursars and heads of second cycle schools in the Volta Region has ended at Kadjebi on Thursday.

The 120 participants who were drawn from Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta, Krachi-West and Krachi-East districts were educated on the new Public Procurement Act 663 and the Financial Administration Act 654 of 2003.

Mr Samuel Donkor Gyan, Regional Director of Education, in a speech read for him called on the Committees to avoid unilateral decisions and procuring items without reference to the procurement laws. He said public procurement procedures have been reviewed because there were incompatible with modern business and customs practices. Mr Gyan said the committee members would have to award contracts to be financed in whole or in part from the consolidated fund or retained non-taxable revenue, grants and donations.

Mr Musa Yamba Issahaku, Headmaster of Kadjebi Asato Secondary School, said every second cycle institution would have a tender committee consisting of nine members.

The are school Board chairman, chairman of the parent teacher association (PTA), headmaster, bursar, a lawyer, two heads of any government departments, a member of the school board and an observer. Mr. Issahaku said the new process of procurement would remove misconceptions that headmasters and bursars colluded with individuals or organisations to embezzle school funds among other things. He said it would also ensure transparency, checks and balances within the financial administration of schools.

Mr. Issahaku said under the act, schools could undertake projects worth 50 million cedis while work costing more than the amount would be placed on tender.