22 May 2014

Schools criticised for 'wasteful spending'

10:02 pm on 22 May 2014

The Office of the Auditor-General has criticised schools for wasteful spending on overseas trips and gifts for staff and warned that 19 others are in poor financial health.

The report on the audits of schools' 2012 accounts also says problems caused by the school payroll system Novopay added $1.5 million to the audit costs.

The report says Novopay problems significantly delayed last year's audits with only a third completed on time.

Auditor-General Lyn Provost said fewer schools broke the law with their spending than in 2011 and most made a surplus.

However, three spent between $52,000 and $38,000 each on trips to Samoa, Prague and San Diego, and on koha for funerals.

A fourth was criticised for spending $5120 on Christmas gift vouchers for staff from a business owned by the principal.

Mark Evans, the education section manager at the Office of the Auditor-General, said schools that send teachers on expensive trips need to remember they are using public funds and should make good decisions about how they spend their budgets.

However, Mr Evans said most schools are in a sound financial position.