education

Computer investigation called for

Education organizations say there is not enough oversight of the “Conéctate” program.

LA PRENSA

“conéctate” computer lab1094260

The Coordinadora de Unidad Magisterial and the Frente Nacional de Educadores Independientes yesterday asked the Contraloría to investigate the way funds in the “Conéctate al Conocimiento” program are handled.

Luis López, a representative of the Coordinadora de Unidad Magisterial, indicated that there is no effective control of this program, which handles more than $28 million in funds.

The program is aimed at improving the country's schools by constructing computer labs with access to the Internet.

López said that each of these labs should cost no more than $30,000 to renovate and equip, but so far each one is costing the program an average of $50,000.

“This is embarrassing and it warrants an investigation by authorities,” López said. “It seems that there are many people involved in illegal acts.”

Program administrators say the costs are high because of inflation and the fact that high-quality products are being used in it.

They have not, however, been able to adequately address why the program has been plagued by poor workmanship, as many of the labs have to be rebuilt because of shoddy construction.

La Prensa detailed the high cost of the program and the poor quality of the computer labs in a story Tuesday. It based that report on internal documents about the program produced by the government.