FijiTimes News
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

THE Ministry of Education is investigating concerns that senior staff at the University of the South Pacific are receiving exorbitant salaries beyond the institution's means.
Interim Education Minister Netani Sukanaivalu said their representative at the institution was collating data and statistics on the matter.

Documents purporting to be a correct reflection of the salaries belonging to the university's senior staff have been circulated via e-mail. The documents claim that several staff members are paid more than $200,000 in tax-free salaries and one salary was as high as $470,000 tax-free.

The documents' claims are cause for concern and have prompted the ministry to investigate, Mr Sukanaivalu said.

"We can't take this (emails) for granted," he said.
"Our representative is in there and he's collating all these statistics and whatever information we get from our rep then we will decide if we have to take it up with the USP Council," he said. Mr Sukanaivalu said they would present all their findings to the USP Council, which would then decide on the next course of action.

The interim minister's revelation comes as USP's Information Technology Services department embarked on an inquiry into what USP believes were papers doctored to discredit senior staff members.

USP's acting vice chancellor Doctor Esther Williams reassured the institution's staff and students that despite the allegations, their privacy was well protected.
Dr Williams took over as acting Vice Chancellor following the resignation of Anthony Tarr.
Professor Tarr's resignation becomes effective next month.

Her appointment is temporary pending the USP Council meeting at the end of May.
University communications manager Bernadette Hussain said Dr Williams may delegate some of her responsibilities.

"There are no financial implications," she said.