Discrepancies in Education ​Ministry’s Incentives and ​University Management

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The ⁢latest audit report of⁣ the​ Court of ‍Accounts on the Ministry of Education⁢ for⁢ 2023 has revealed⁣ many​ discrepancies, ​especially those carried ⁤out ‌by private schools‌ towards the ministry to receive incentives.

The⁢ Ministry of‍ Education pays⁤ a certain amount​ of contribution⁤ to businesses for students doing ‍internships. The ‍report identified discrepancies ⁤in ​the contribution payments made ​to ⁣initiatives for students attending internships and complementary education in vocational and technical secondary schools.

For example, enterprises with 20 employees were paid as if they had 40‍ employees because they⁤ had registered as many as they could into the system.

The​ Court of Accounts‌ also‌ investigated the number of personnel⁤ from ​private education enterprises ​in the ministry’s system. Accordingly, there were a number of companies with none or one member of ​staff.

The number of workers which⁣ determined the amount of ‌the state contribution did not match the amount paid. The court identified businesses that received contributions for 62 ⁢students even though they had no personnel.

Also, private schools registered their ‍own ‍enterprises to​ the system in order to show their own students⁤ as ⁣trainees ⁢to receive more incentives.

The⁣ Court of Accounts also found that the ministry had made payments to the organizations it had made⁣ agreements ⁤with even after their ⁤protocols had been terminated.

Although the “SMS Notification⁣ Cooperation” protocols ‍with GSM operators in the‍ country were⁢ terminated in March ⁣2023, the ministry continued to deposit⁤ funds into‌ the accounts of GSM operators on various dates throughout the year.

Within the scope of the protocol‌ between the​ Ministry of Education and state television TRT, payments were made⁤ without specifying the nature of the work to be done by TRT and the⁣ amounts ⁣to be paid for‍ this work. TRT‌ requested 15.4 million liras for broadcasts between 2020‍ and 2023. ‍The ministry paid this amount in ⁣one lump sum⁤ without conducting ⁢the necessary analysis, according to the audit.

According to the ‍report, the provincial education ⁤directorates also⁤ did not calculate the ​cost of construction tenders in accordance with the legislation. Those who prepared tender documents calculated figures above the approximate cost.

Students Left Without University Dorms Despite ​Available Resources

The Court of Accounts also published its ⁢audit reports on universities.

It was decided‍ that Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University left its dormitory idle while hundreds of ⁣thousands ⁣of students have housing problems in Turkey.

The ⁢university told the Court of Accounts that the facilities were not idle and were used as needed for ⁢events such as ⁣symposiums and conferences for overseas students. However, the court report stated that no documentation could be provided for this claim.

On the other hand,⁢ Muğla ⁢Sıtkı Koçman University released announcements for ‍academic ​appointments with highly personal details in ⁤descriptions,​ prepared for‍ a⁣ specific person.

For example, a listing from the university required qualifications such‌ as “having‌ studies in the⁤ field of settlement systems, burial practices and monumental architectural decorations from ​the ancient Iron ⁤Age period in ‍Ionia.”

The Court of Accounts warned both organizations.