On January 9, information from the Son La Provincial Inspectorate said that the unit had just announced the inspection conclusion on the management and use of funding sources at the Department of Education and Training and its affiliated units. In the period of 2023-2024, the Department of Education and Training of Son La province and its affiliated units implemented 97 construction investment projects, with a total approved estimated value of 275 billion VND. However, many projects encountered serious violations; 5/19 projects invested by the Department had errors in acceptance and payment, with the amount of violations being 101 million VND. Of which, the Department directly invested in 19 projects, new construction works and renovation and repair of classrooms, boarding houses, multi-purpose houses, kitchens, etc. with a total approved estimated value of nearly 275.8 billion VND. At the time of inspection, 10 projects had been completed, and 9 projects and works were under construction.
Units under the Department are the investors of 78 school maintenance and repair projects with a total approved budget of over VND 240.9 billion. By the time of the inspection, 68 projects had been completed and put into use, 10 projects were under construction and survey... 12 projects invested by affiliated units were also found to have violations in acceptance and payment, causing a loss of VND 144 million.
Some projects do not clearly define the level of recovery of advances through each payment, typically the Bac Yen High School Construction Project. Along with that, the project to purchase educational equipment is also delayed and not transparent.
The inspector also pointed out that in 2 years, the Department of Education and Training has implemented 35 bidding packages for equipment procurement with a total cost of more than 169 billion VND, but has only disbursed 75 billion VND. However, many violations have been discovered. 2 large bidding packages for purchasing minimum teaching equipment (grades 4, 8, 11 and grades 5, 9, 12) with a total value of up to 89.42 billion VND are behind schedule.
Some affiliated units have not updated contract progress information on the National Bidding Network System and have not publicly disclosed acceptance results.
The Department of Education and Training was assigned to organize 90 training and development courses for cadres and teachers in 2024, with a total budget of VND 23,361 million. However, the budgeting and spending work is still inadequate. The budget for compiling training materials is incorrect with an amount of VND 13 million. Some expenses for organizing the Phu Dong Sports Festival have not been specifically explained.
The inspection conclusion determined that the total amount of violations in acceptance and payment was 245 million VND, including construction, repair and equipment purchase items. Of which, 108 million VND must be recovered and paid to the provincial budget, and 126 million VND must be adjusted down in the payment estimate.
These violations not only caused budget losses but also reduced the reputation of Son La's education sector. The responsibility belongs to the leaders of the Department of Education and Training of Son La province, functional departments and affiliated units. The Director of the Department must take general responsibility for the violations, and at the same time require relevant individuals and groups to organize a review and remedy the consequences.
