Malek Fahd Islamic school: Government axes all Commonwealth funding

THE future of Australia’s ­largest Islamic school is in doubt after the federal government yesterday axed $20 million of ­Commonwealth funding claiming the money not being spent only on education.

Malek Fahd Islamic school in Greenacre has had federal funding revoked. Picture: Jonathan Ng

• Malek Fahd Islamic school facing allegations of misuse of funding

THE future of Australia’s ­largest Islamic school is in doubt after the federal government yesterday axed all of its ­Commonwealth funding.

The Federal Department of Education issued a notice to the Malek Fahd school in Greenacre in southwest Sydney, revoking $20 million in federal funding as of April 8.

The notice claimed the money was not being spent only on education, as required under the Education Act.

The school, which boasts more than 2400 students, has been embroiled in a bitter feud between board members and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

Malek Fahd Islamic school in Greenacre has had federal funding revoked. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The disagreement was so aggressive that security was ­required at the school for fear it could escalate into violence.

The decision to stop Commonwealth funding for the school comes after repeated warnings from the department about its governance.

The future of the school rests with the NSW ­Department of Education, which has a responsibility to ensure the students are schooled.

The NSW department ­issued a statement last night claiming it “will continue to work with the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training on these matters”.

The Daily Telegraph’s ­attempts to contact the school and the AFIC for comment were unsuccessful. However, it is understood the notification from the department had been received by school officials.

The funding future of five other schools across the country under the management of AFIC is still being assessed.

The Malek Fahd Islamic School in Greenacre was audited after allegations of misuse of funding.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham last night said the school had failed to meet the standards set out under the Education Act. He said: “In May 2015, my department ­initiated a formal review into six school authorities affiliated with AFIC following ­ongoing concerns about their financial management and governance arrangements.

“Today, the department ­notified Malek Fahd Islamic School in Sydney that its approval for federal government funding has been revoked.

“I am committed to ensuring that all school authorities meet the requirements of the Education Act to ensure that our taxpayer dollar and any private investment by parents is being spent to benefit ­Australian students.

“Unfortunately, the authority that operates Malek Fahd Islamic School was not able to demonstrate ... that they had addressed the significant concerns about their financial management and governance arrangements raised during the formal compliance review