A number of the senior Marist Old Boys today raised questions on what action is being taken by the Fiji Marist Brothers Education Trust Board and the authorities responsible for the school funds following revelations of alleged abuse by the former Principal.
During the MOBilise Convention today, Prime Minister and Marist old boy, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama started off the questions and asked the board's Chairman, Frederick Miller about the allegations of the abuse of the funds at Marist Brothers High School.
Although there is confirmation that the former Principal was sacked, Commodore Bainimarama again raised the question to Miller on the funds that was allegedly abused.
Some other Marist Old Boys raised the question on whether the matter has been taken to the Police for investigation.
Meanwhile Miller has also revealed that they have tightened up their systems following the incident.
Steps are now being taken to analyze the evidence at hand before further action is taken against the individual concerned.
Fijivillage had earlier highlighted the dismissal of the former Principal however the authorities concerned had decided not to make comments on why he was removed.
Meanwhile, earlier today, the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama opened the Mobilise Conference saying the brothers who wanted to set up Marist had a difficult time.
Commodore Bainimarama revealed that the vision to set up Marist Brothers High School was not easy to implement back in the 1940's due to the segregated colonial system in place at the time.
He said although many may not know this, the environment from the 1800's onwards was completely different where schools were set up for those only classified as Europeans.
Commodore Bainimarama said things were done differently when Fiji was a colony of the British Empire.
He said the mindset back then was carried through by many after Fiji's independence.
However the Prime Minister said the Marist brothers were determined to have a secondary school for all ethnic groups by the 1940's.
He said this should be taken as an example to build strong institutions in the country.
He said the brothers challenged the powerful system that was unjust, discriminatory and was not in the national interest and well being of all Fijians.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Old Boys query alleged abuse of funds by former Principal
