Misuse of official vehicles at FDE institutions goes unchecked

Islamabad : Misuse of government vehicles has been reported in several educational institutions overseen by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), with many principals or their family members using these automobiles despite having no entitlement to such privileges.

Official sources claim that the malpractice continues unchecked due to the absence of an effective monitoring and accountability system, as well as the connivance of relevant FDE officials.

They said that ambulance vans, provided to colleges exclusively for student emergencies and official duties but lacking proper markings, flashing red lights or official insignia, were being diverted for private errands, family commutes and even late-night shopping trips.

A college’s staff member claimed that he was not a designated driver but had been forced to work as a driver under a principal for four years.

He added that he dropped the principal’s children off at a school in the morning, accompanied the principal to his private or official work afterward and then dropping children off to tuition or taking them for shopping. Sometimes I returned home around midnight and had to report again before sunrise,” he said.

The van was also used on Sundays for personal purposes. The driver also claimed he was directed to falsify fuel records.

“The fuel consumed by the van was shown in the student bus logbook to conceal its personal use,” he said.

Another driver shared a similar account. “Every day, I had to bring fresh milk for the principal’s family from a distant place. The fuel cost was probably higher than the milk’s price,” he said.

“I would take the principal’s children to school and bring them back. The family often called me for personal errands even after office hours,” he said.

When contacted, an FDE official said no policy provision allowed principals to use government vehicles for private purposes.

He also acknowledged that the FDE lacked a proper system to track vehicle use or fuel consumption.

“Weak record-keeping and loopholes in maintaining logbooks make it easy for such misuse to go unnoticed,” he said.

The official said the ambulance vans were provided for student emergencies or female student transport but some principals were reportedly misusing them for personal needs.

An administrative officer from a college urged the Ministry of Education to ensure strict vehicle monitoring and disciplinary measures against those misusing government FDE vehicles.

“GPS tracking, fuel audits and clear entitlement rules can help curb the abuse of public assets,” he said.

Some parents and faculty members have also voiced concern over the issue.

“When those responsible for shaping young minds misuse public resources, they fail to lead by example,” said a parent.

“Principals must embody integrity, not indulgence.” A senior faculty member remarked that such misuse not only wastes public funds but also burdens the national exchequer.

“These ambulance vans are around 3000cc, and their fuel consumption is extremely high and a huge burden on national exchequer.

If principals must be provided with vehicles, they should receive small 800cc cars instead. This will significantly reduce government expenditure,” he said.