The Internal Audit of the Nation made a critical evaluation of the process of delivery of supplies to primary school students. In a report, the agency’s technicians pointed out that there are “significant weaknesses” that affect the access in time and form of the students to educational materialsand are the result of a “inefficient management” to meet the needs of materials, furniture and equipment of schools throughout the country.
According to the auditors, there are Absence of adequate supervision and control by Primary about the distribution process, and school supplies, furniture and equipment are distributed centrally from Montevideo throughout the country, with insufficient personnel and fleet to “cover the demand at the beginning of the school year”.
The auditors also detected that the distribution of books is outsourced, not having controls or adequate follow-up on the service provided, which causes “significant delays” in its delivery.
In turn, they pointed out that The system they use is not adequate to the needs of the process because it does not provide comprehensive and timely information for adequate decision-making.
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Primary was audited by the Ministry of Economy and Finance
“Given the weaknesses found, it is recommended to carry out a comprehensive review of the distribution process of the different goods, evaluating the different distribution alternatives in consideration of the current context of the organization and its resources, designing and implementing control activities with the aim of mitigating all the risks inherent in the audited process, and ensure timely and proper delivery to educational centers throughout the country”, concludes the document.
From the audit procedures arise 6 findings, 2 considered extreme, according to the level of criticality. Between these, they mentioned the process of delivery of school supplies and the distribution of educational books.
For the delivery of supplies, the report mentions that there is a protocol to achieve efficiency in the purchase and distribution of materials, but there are delays that cause children to receive the materials late. In 2022, for example, distribution started in february and finished in julywhen classes had started in March.
According to Primary, there are some factors that influence the distribution to be carried out late. He pointed out that it is difficult for them to deliver materials earlier because schools close at the end of the school year, lack storage capacity, and are at risk of vandalism.
Regarding the delivery of books, the report mentions “significant delays” since in March, the month classes began, only schools in Montevideo received the books, which represents approximately 30% of the national school enrollment. In April they received urban schools from 6 departments in the interior of the country, in May 5 departments and in June the remaining 7 departments.
“The greatest delays were found in the delivery of books to rural schools. In the month of July, the departmental inspections began to receive the books destined for these schools, culminating in October the delivery to the schools, ”he adds.
In turn, the audit details four other findings considered high risk: the distribution of equipment and furniture to schools throughout the country; the distribution of information technology; the GRP computer system, and aspects of internal control of Primary.
For example, it points out that the distribution of furniture is carried out late, noting that, of the deliveries made to schools in the first semester of 2022, the corresponding requests had an average age of 1 year and in some cases up to 2 years of age. antiquity.
