The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) may recommend a reprimand for errant contractors under the Education Ministry’s food supplement programme for schools.

auditor report sardine sandwich turn into white bread with margarine 251010 A committee member, who requested anonymity, said the ministry’s secretary-general had been called in to testify today.

"If no action is taken, they may do the same again," the source added.

The PAC sat today to probe deficiencies in the programme, after the Auditor-General’s 2009 report revealed that schoolchildren get two pieces of bread rather than the sardine sandwiches that contractors are obliged to deliver.

Met by reporters after the meeting, chairperson Azmi Khalid confirmed that the food supplement programme was discussed, but  refused to divulge details.

He said the committee will hold a press conference tomorrow to report on its findings on the progrramme as well as the National Higher Education Fund.