Education Ministry may see its EU funds suspended

The Education Ministry may see its EU finding suspended over irregularities in public procurement. Auditors from Brussels have advised suspending all further payments from the Education for Competitiveness Operational Programme until the irregularities are investigated and explained. The ministry can draw up to 53 billion crowns from this source. Ministry officials are reportedly working to resolve the problem in the hope of preventing a freeze on funding. The present administration says it is not to blame for the shortcomings which date back to 2008 and 2009 and has promised to heighten control mechanisms without delay.