An Immaculate Conception Fraud of $30 Million Jamaican Dollars

March 13, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

The Immaculate  Conception High School for girls is a sought after prestigious, Roman Catholic institution run by the Archdiocese of Kingston headed by Archbishop Kenneth Richards.  Archbishop Richards has confirmed that he is aware of the allegations of fraud.

Mrs. Margaret Bolt who is Educational Consultant for the diocese has confirmed that the auditors have been called in.

Bishop Kenneth Richards has confirmed that:

“There are reports of misappropriation of funds”

Miss Stacey Reynolds, newly minted principal, has said she is not aware of a fraud. 

Auditors went to the school in February 2021.

A teacher at the school Jane, not her right name has told our news team that:

“I have heard of the fraud, but I know very little as I am involved in the academic aspects of the school. I would have loved to put my hands on some of those funds.”

Laughingly Jane quipped as our brief telephone interview came to an end pleasantly.

Contacted for comment Education Minister Fayval Williams said inter alia:

“We have an interim report and have discovered weaknesses. We have discovered that the handling of cash has not been as it should be. Record keeping is a problem.”

Stated a peeved Education Minister, projecting a tone that could easily be interpreted as one of disgust. Yet choosing her words guardedly  She has considerable expertise in financial management in the private sector prior to entering politics.

Minister,  Hon. Fayal Williams

 Education Minister was further pressed on the Immaculate Fraud which so far is said to be JA$30 million dollars and counting:

“Auditors went to the school on February 4,  9 and 11, 2021 of this year. As you are aware, the government disburses certain funds to the Immaculate High School. This is a church school. They are accountable to us for funds disbursed to the school.  The Auditors are looking into the books for one year 2019 to 2020. There are one thousand schools which are audited.  There is a need for an overall auditing system. There are systemic weaknesses. We await the audit, before coming to any conclusions. All schools do fundraising to help out.  MOE provides training for Bursars.”

Cliff Hughes: Chairman Carol Anglin is refusing to allow Stacey Reynolds the Principal to speak. A New principal was installed in September 2020.  There was no auditing at the handing over to this new principal.

Fayval : We will get to the bottom of this.”

Stacey Reynolds, principal breaks her silence and said inter alia:

“The Bursar was not given permission by me to go on leave. This request would be signed off by me then the board and forwarded on to the Education Ministry for final approval. This applies to all requests for leave”

Responding further to a question asked, Mrs. Stacey Reynolds said:

“The Bursar was there when the audit started. I identified weaknesses and got answers, but thought I needed to reach out for help”

She was breaking her silence on the estimated $30 million fraud at Immaculate High School, a Roman Catholic Church, All Girls’ School.

Commentary

It would appear to me that the principal called in the auditors. This is not an unusual move. Auditors are called in by aggrieved parties to look at financial management in an institution.  This request is not usually made public. The government has limited management control as it relates to how church schools are run. That is how the system is designed.

This is most shameful for a church school.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist and former board chairman of a number of public  schools in Jamaica. “There is top class training for boards & Bursars.” Hopeton confirmed.  He also has international exposure.