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The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has firmly denied recent charges of payroll fraud and misconduct, following an uprising of media reporting and social media criticism accusing the body of adding unauthorized people to the government payroll.
In an official press release dated April 30, the commission said the reports are “false and a clear attempt to bring the commission’s reputation into disrepute.” It further states that TEC does not have the right to unilaterally add people to the payroll, which is administered by the Accountant General’s Office.
TEC’s internal investigations allegedly revealed that a newly hired staff member, whose name is being hidden, used fraudulent academic credentials to get employment with the commission. A preliminary check with a professional regulating authority revealed that the individual’s qualifications were invalid.
According to the commission, the same person has since worked with media outlets to spread false information regarding TEC, falsely blaming both commission employees and Accountant General’s Department workers.
“The staff member in question presented fake qualifications to the commission in response to a job advertisement, and he unlawfully gained employment.” It stated. “The Commission conducted preliminary verification with the relevant professional regulatory body, which indicated that the said staff does not have the qualifications he presented to the Commission.”
The press release stated, making reference to a violation of parliamentary rules on fraudulent qualifications, a serious offense with major legal and reputational implications.
In reaction to the publishing of misleading reports, the commission has officially filed complaints with the Independent Media Commission and is awaiting appropriate regulatory action.
TEC closed its statement by assuring the public, stakeholders, and partners that it is committed to openness, due process, and the integrity of Sierra Leone’s tertiary education sector.
