Controversial alleged use of public money engulfs scandal-hit Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham, which is in desperate need of repair and in special measures
Council bosses are investigating claims Islamic leaders spent £1million of British taxpayers' cash on a state-of-the-art school in Pakistan.
The controversial alleged use of public money has engulfed scandal-hit Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham, which is currently in desperate need of repair.
It comes after the school was placed in special measures in May this year, when it was branded "inadequate" in a damning Ofsted report.
A month later, the whole governing body was sacked after financial troubles, including a £900,000 budget deficit, were revealed and a new interim board took over.
Now Birmingham City Council is investigating claims that the trust might have used public money to help fund a £1million boys-only school 5,000 miles away in Pakistan.
The Al-Hijrah boarding school, in the north west city of Ziarat, opened in 2004 and is said to be prospering.
On the trust's website, it boasts the school provides children with an environment in which they can "develop their Islamic principles".
Meanwhile, the school in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, which caters for 800 pupils aged between four and 16, is in a state of disrepair.
A school insider said: "The school in Birmingham is falling apart, its roof is leaking and there is little space for outdoor play.
"Yet the trust has used £1million to build a new school in Pakistan. It beggars belief."
The Birmingham school, which opened in 1988, became voluntary-aided in 2002 and secured funding from the city council.
The council has confirmed a probe into the school's finances, including the allegations public cash was used to help fund the school in Pakistan, is now under way.
A spokeswoman said: "We were concerned about the severe deficit the school has got itself into and where that money might be going.
"We put a board in place in the school with access to financial records and we carried out a retrospective investigation.
"We have gathered enough information to warrant further investigation into the use of public funds and we continue to work with the relevant statutory agencies.
"If we find anything criminal it will be referred to the police."
The majority of the Birmingham school's students are of Pakistani origin, and the senior school receives more than 1,000 applications for 60 places a year, making it one of the most over-subscribed schools in the UK.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "We are aware of these serious allegations which are being investigated by Birmingham City Council.
"We are liaising closely with them and continue to monitor the situation.
"The school is currently in special measures and we have approved the council's choice of interim executive board."
A number of teachers from Calthorpe Academy, in the Highgate area of Birmingham, have been drafted into Al-Hijrah in a "buddying" scheme to try to "share best practice".
But sources claim the school was still continuing to segregate boys and girls. One person said: "Even the staff have separate meeting rooms for male and female teachers."
In July, the city council was forced to take out an injunction banning former chairman of governors Waseem Yaqub from Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham.
Mr Yaqub was accused of leading a harassment campaign against the new interim board, but he denied those claims.
He has been issued with a High Court writ warning him that he faces a damages bill of up to £100,000 due to his conduct.
The writ accuses him of harassment, intimidation and trespassing on the school site after he was sacked from his post.
Courtesy: Telegraph UK
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