Stockbroker Paul Bonello to head inquiry into Skola Sajf fiasco

Stockbroker Paul Bonello, of Finco Treasury Management, has been appointed by the Ministry of Education to head an inquiry into the Skola Sajf and Klabb 3-16 opening fiasco.

Among others, the board must identify the person or persons responsible for the initiative’s mismanagement.

The opening of the summer club centres was delayed by four days after the Ministry for Education realised there were not enough centre coordinators, teachers and playworkers to cater for the 10,800 students.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo is expected to take a final decision on the matter after the board of inquiry concludes its investigations. He has however made it clear that the situation was “unacceptable” and he “preferred working with people who inform me of problems instead of insisting everything was fine”.

Responsibility of the Skola Sajf and Klabb 3-16 falls under the Foundation for Educational Services (FES).

Bonello will be chairing the investigation board, and board members include Gemma Debono and Noel Borg. Ray Camilleri will be the board’s secretary.

According to the board’s terms of reference, they have a month to conclude their investigation.

The board must establish the facts surrounding the administration of Skola Sajf and Klabb 3-16; examine the administrative procedures that were followed and identify shortcomings; recommend a way forward in established timeframes and identify those responsible for the shortcomings.