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ONPA Releases Audit Report on Chuuk State Department of Education Teacher Reclassification

Palikir, Pohnpei (Office of the National Public Auditor): September 3, 2010 - The Office of the National Public Auditor (ONPA) announces the release of Audit Report No. 2010-09,Audit of Chuuk State Department of Education Teacher Reclassification. A digital copy of the report is available for public review online at www.fsmopa.fm and printed copies are available at the ONPA's offices in Palikir, Pohnpei and Weno, Chuuk. The audit was conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and pursuant to Title 55, Chapter 5 of the FSM Code.

This audit focused on a 2008 policy implemented by the Chuuk Public Service Commission (PSC) Board which established pay classifications for teachers with post-secondary degrees. The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the teacher reclassification policy complied with key requirements, whether PSC and Chuuk DOE implemented adequate controls and whether the reclassification policy helped achieve the goal of attracting more qualified teachers.

The audit found that the policy and its implementation did not violate any rules, regulations, and funding agreements. Moreover, after the salary increases went into effect almost all new teachers hired by DOE had degrees. However, the audit could not determine if the salary increase was the reason that DOE was able to attract degreed applicants or if other reasons explain, or partially explain the increase in degreed applicants.

A sample of 66 reclassified teachers was selected and the audit team was able to confirm 65 (65 of 66) had earned their degree. In 1 instance (1 of 66) the degree document on file appeared to be fictitious and it was referred to the ONPA Compliance Investigation Division (CID).

The audit report includes recommendations to improve the internal control activities performed by Chuuk State DOE, e.g. to validate the purported degree and secondly, to document the process for completing the reclassification (Personnel Action Form) documents.