Moldovan education ministry found shortcomings in implementation of education reform project

Chisinau, 31 July /MOLDPRES/- The Ministry of Education, Culture and Research (MECC) admitted shortcomings in the implementation of the "Education Reform in Moldova" project. They were found after examining an audit report by the Court of Accounts.

The audit determined the weak institutional capacity of the Ministry of Education to turn to good account foreign funds, which led to difficulties in carrying out public procurement procedures and failing to implement the project in time.

Thus, according to the Court, out of the 110 million lei allocated to the project in 2017, the MECC contracted renovation works amounting to 70.5 million lei or turned to good account 64.08% of the resources provided under the regulatory framework.

The Court also found that the Ministry of Education did not comply allowances provided for each institution included in the project. Specifically, at three educational institutions works were made by 12.4 million lei less, and three other institutions - by 12.7 million more than was approved.

At the same time, the level of implementation of the works per institution deviates from 40.01% to 74.7%. The main reasons raised by the responsible people were the inadequacy of workers on site and changes in design documents.

The "Education Reform in Moldova" project is implemented through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, with the support of the Social Investment Fund of Moldova.

(Reporter N. Sandu, editor M. Jantovan)