Molloy

Minister of Education Andrew Holness has indicated that the Government will scrutinise all applications for tax exemptions on computers to safeguard against fraud and abuse at Jamaican schools.

"I am very much cognisant of the fact that people will try to breach the system and I could never tell the nation that we have a foolproof system," Holness told The Gleaner.

"What I can guarantee the nation is that we have put in place the necessary mechanism to scrutinise every single application to make sure they meet the criteria that these computers are for educational purposes or for the benefit of private educational development."

Computers and related accessories were among the new items announced last month by the Government that would attract general consumption tax (GCT) of 16.5 per cent. GCT has been waived on computers sourced by schools either for the general student population or for home use by students.

Since the announcement, there have been increased calls from sector leaders and the Opposition to reverse tax measures on the equipment.

Holness argued that the Government has an obligation to make sure that the system is corruption-free.

"Already we have given approval for recognised institutions when they have to purchase computers, particularly when these computers are coming in either on a concessionary basis or on a charity basis, to apply to the Ministry of Education and the ministry will vet and then issue its approval to the Ministry of Finance, which then issues the necessary waiver."

Corruption unlikely

But Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, dismissed suggestions that the system is susceptible to corruption. She said all schools have to give account for computer purchases, so the likelihood of breaches was remote.

"I can't see how corruption can happen. Unless a computer is stolen after it is placed in the school, there is no way that persons can get computers through the schools," she argued.

Molloy added: "There is a pro-curement guideline that school administrations have to follow in order to purchase the equipment, so I don't see how it is possible, I really don't see."

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com