After inspecting 258 educational centers nationwide, the Ombudsman delivers its recommendations to the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA), among which it is mentioned prioritizing that all educational centers have quality public services (drinking water, electricity and internet ), strengthen the administrative competencies of the Directors of educational centers at the national level, on the management and use of resources obtained through the Fund for Equity and Quality of Education FECE.
Likewise, it urges MEDUCA to allocate budget resources so that the Vice Ministry of Infrastructure develops new projects and/or provides adequate maintenance to existing structures; as well as to appoint in the educational centers that are required, personnel with knowledge in administration for its optimal functioning; in turn, the hiring of: general assistants, social workers, psychologists and specialists in learning difficulties, for the formation of suitable personnel who can attend to students in an integral way, in schools that do not have it.
Regarding care for children and adolescents, it is imperative to adapt access to educational centers for children with disabilities, with inclusive education as the guiding principle; construction of more classrooms with the capacity to achieve the integration of children with disabilities, both in early childhood and in childhood and adolescence, so that they do not have to travel long distances to receive education; sensitize directors and teachers, so that a real inclusion in schools is achieved and the necessary personnel are provided to make reasonable adjustments and attend to children of early ages with early stimulation, with infrastructure and human resources to a true development of them when they enter school.
Regarding the Special Vocational School, the construction of the stop is a priority so that children can attend and not miss classes, which has been included as a project in the Ministry of Public Works, however, it has not yet been assigned a budget item ; At the same time, it is imperative that inclusive Vocational Schools continue to be strengthened, as well as the construction of a Vocational School and the Early Stimulation Program PEP, in the East Panama region.
Regarding security, it is a priority to coordinate with the Ministry of Security to generate real security systems and policies in support of the Ministry of Education, reinforcing the work of the guard and involving community leaders with neighborhood watch programs so that they take care of the schools in conjunction with the National Police
On the other hand, it entrusts the governing entity of education to demand from the companies awarded the projects, the timely delivery, with the characteristics and in the stipulated quantities, of the goods or services requested through contracts or, failing that, execute faithfully the performance bonds, with the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the State; as well as to call on the Panamanian Chamber of Construction, the Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Private Enterprise, the Panamanian Association of Business Executives and other unions to make their members aware of the large number of works and unfinished contracts.
The Ombudsman’s Office also states that the General Directorate of Public Procurement DGCP, through the Panama Compras portal, must continue purifying and punishing irresponsible companies that deliver poor quality products at overprices and/or abandon the works that have been assigned to them. awarded.
