Alexis Tam demands stricter supervision of subsidies by DSEJ director

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng (pictured), demanded stricter inspections from the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) regarding public expenses and subsidies awarded. The call of the Secretary comes after a revelation from the Commission of Audit that the Education Development Fund (FDE) is unable to track if an amount of MOP32.46 million (US$4.07 million) awarded in subsidies to private schools was actually used to develop the proposed projects.
“Our inspections can always be stronger, more focused and stricter. We can always do better. I’m going to demand this from my colleagues at the DSEJ this afternoon in a meeting”, Alexis Tam said yesterday on the sidelines of the blessing ceremony of the Macau Grand Prix.
The report of the Commission of Audit slammed DSEJ for failing to act according to the law in relation to the supervision of overcharging by private schools subsidised by the government. However, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture said yesterday that he wasn’t considering any action to punish the Director of DSEJ, Leong Lai, before he listened to her version of the story.
“I understand that some people may want the Director to be punished. But this is a very hardworking team and the Education System in Macau has achieved a very high level”, he said. “Of course, we need to improve our weak points. However, I haven’t considered yet any punishment measure.
First, I need to listen to the Director’s explanation”.
Report on subsidies welcomed
Alexis Tam constantly stressed what he considered the excellent work of the DSEJ in recent years during his conversation with the media. He also said that he had put his trust in Leong Lai and believed that these failures will be corrected.
“Maybe there are some failings in DSEJ. However, from now on the subsidies to private schools will be properly monitored. I believe this situation will be changed”, he said. “Regarding the education system, the Director has worked very hard. In fact not only her but also the performance of other chiefs of department related to this area have been excellent”.
According to the report of the Commission of Audit published on Tuesday, the failure of FDE and DSEJ reveal ‘serious’ management shortcomings and that both departments had failed in their inspection duties.
Nevertheless, Alexis Tam said, “I welcome this report. I have always asked not only for the Commission of Audit, but also the Commission Against Corruption and other government inspection bodies to pay close attention to the departments under my supervision. Public services have to set an example from the top. We need to have a tight control over our expenses and their purpose.”