The National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL) in Haitihas released a statement accounting for the total funds collected from taxes on cell phone calls, to quell recent claims that US$26 million from funds earmarked for the National Fund for Education were misappropriated.

According to the statement, from June 16 to November 30, 2011, a total of US$13,116,606.40 has been collected from calls made from major national providers Digicel and Voila Comcel. The collected revenue, the statement confirmed, has not be used and "will be transferred to the Treasury, once relevant authorities request [it]."

CONATEL also said "the counsel would provide updates on the fund periodically, for the sake of transparency."

The National Fund for Education was set up to finance President Michel Martelly's goal of providing free primary school education to all children in Haiti. Funds collected have particularly targeted the money sourced from the Haitian Diaspora, through taxation on remittances and on incoming calls to Haiti.

In his first national address to Haiti since his inauguration, President Martelly did not refer to the misappropriation scandal. He did, however, reaffirm his administration's commitment to strengthening education at all levels through the country.

"My concept of a socially just Haiti has made education a top priority of my political agenda," said Martelly. "I expect the Government to continue to make every effort to honor the commitments made to the Haitian people [such as] free access to quality schooling for all children across the country to ensure that they stay at least until the end of the 6th year in and out with basic skills established."

Martelly also pledged "to support the reconstruction and development of the provision of higher education and university, including the strengthening of the state University of Haiti (UEH) and five public universities in the region."