Meduca receives funds for infrastructure projects in the regions and the purchase of laptops for teachers.
The Budget Committee of the National Assembly approved yesterday night, November 13, a departure transfer amounting to $49.2 million to the Ministry of Education (Meduca), destined for the payment of companies that developed projects in areas of difficult access and the purchase of computers for teachers.
Lucy Molinar, Minister of Education, explained that among the items there are $3,194,928 that will be allocated to the payment of accounts presented by companies that have completed improvement works in hard-to-reach areas, such as the school in Besikó, in the region of Ngabe Buglé, and in the province of Coclé.
Another item, of $600,020, will be used for the payment of companies that supply modular classrooms in the regional areas. However, Molinar clarified that modular classrooms will not be built in this administration; however, existing classrooms will be used in those schools that are under construction and will be used on a temporary basis.
In the case of projects to improve schools in hard-to-reach areas, the head of Education reported that these completed works are being reviewed and monitored by Meduca engineering technicians.
Another of the approved items was $38 million for the purchase of laptops for teachers, who will be trained during the summer and are in the process of updating the various educational programs offered in schools. Transfers will be
This purchase will be made through the agreement between the Meduca and the One Laptop Per Child Foundation, signed on 5 September, which includes a training program for teachers.
Jorge González, independent deputy of the Vamos coalition, was the first to question the way in which the purchase of these equipment is being handled, since this contract has not yet been approved by the Cabinet Council, but the Meduca is requesting departure for the acquisition of more than 54 thousand laptops for educators.
The Minister of Education explained to González that the $38 million represents the first item that will support the contract of the agreement with the foundation. He added that the contract has yet to be passed to the Presidency of the Republic and be discussed in the Cabinet Council, and then endorsed by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic.
For his part, Betserai Richards, an independent deputy, expressed concern that the Cabinet Council would reject this contract, which at the end of the five-year period would cost $239.2 million, and questioned the figure of the contract with the foundation, which would practically be a direct contract.
A document submitted by the Meduca to Members in the Committee on Budget indicates that in 2024 $64 million will be paid; in 2025, $79 million; and in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 $24 million will have to be paid consecutively each year.
In total, the Meduca seeks to deliver 600 thousand laptops for students and 54,000 for teachers, which will have Windows operating system, Office license, among other details.
With regard to the Internet service, Molinar reported that these contracts are being reviewed and negotiated, as the previous administration left contracts with fees of $360 per month. Panama pays for the most expensive internet in the world, the minister said. He added that the review seeks to reduce the cost of the service by 90% and improve the speed of the Internet.
The departure transfers were approved by the budget commissioners with 12 votes in favor.
This article has been translated after appearing in La Prensa