727 teachers target of futsal graft

727 teachers target of futsal graft

Prayong says case will take 120 days

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) will set up a disciplinary committee to probe 727 teachers involved in the alleged irregularities in the construction of school futsal pitches in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Boonloy Phutpattanamongkol, 60, is cleaning the un-used futsal pitch at Ban Don Chompoo School in Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The Obec secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said the disciplinary probe would start once the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) sends a list of teachers and educational staff who might have colluded in the futsal scandal.

“We will press on with the task by establishing a disciplinary committee to inspect individuals suspected of involvement. This should send a warning that the problem must not be repeated,” he said.

Previously, Mr Kamol distanced the Obec from the multi-million baht futsal pitch scandal saying the agency was only responsible for transferring a budget from a fund set aside by MPs in the previous government, who vetted the money distributed to schools.

Later, it was found the futsal pitches were built using substandard materials and were overpriced.

“Those who participated in the project without any intention or who were forced to be involved in the construction of the futsal pitches should step forward and tell us the truth. That way, they will be allowed leniency,” said Mr Kamol.

However, he said he had reason to believe the problem did not stem directly from the schools but an outside party wanted to clinch the project for his own financial gains.

"As a result, our teachers were affected," the Obec secretary-general said.

He said he planned to consult the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to work out measures to prevent any malpractice in procurement projects related to education in the future.

Last week, Education Minister Adm Narong Pipathanasai urged the directors of all 225 primary and secondary educational service area offices to ensure efficient use of the multi-billion baht education budget.

Of all ministries, the Education Ministry gets the largest chunk of the central budget worth over 500 billion baht.

PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit said a preliminary investigation found 54 schools in Nakhon Ratchasima were suspected of alleged irregularities in the futsal projects and a total of 727 teachers were connected to the scandal.

They were involved in setting the terms of reference and median prices, the running of electronic auctions, and checking on progress in construction of the futsal pitches.

The list of teachers who may have knowledge of the saga or involvement in the alleged irregularities would be sent to the Obec this week.

The probe into the schools and the teachers is to be carried out in line with Order No. 69 of the National Council for Peace and Order which says disciplinary, administrative and legal measures were to be enforced strictly and promptly by the head of government agencies.

Mr Prayong said a disciplinary probe into the matter should be completed within 120 days.

If there was any violation of the law governing the state bidding process, the case would be forwarded to the NACC for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation will investigate five companies involved in the bidding process of the futsal pitches.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)