Wide-Ranging Investigations at the Ministry of Education: Corruption Suspicions Shake the Sector amid Expected Dismissals

A State Inspectorate mission spent nearly a full year inside the Ministry of National Education, digging through files and contracts, before referring the most controversial cases to the Public Prosecutor. The latter, in turn, forwarded the file to the Economic Crimes Police, which launched a new phase of extensive investigations.

According to consistent sources, the investigations so far have involved the ministry’s secretary-general, members of the education sector’s contract committee, the director-general of supplies and equipment, the administrative and financial director, the director-general of education, the director of primary education, as well as several heads of departments and sections. Seven regional directors from the wilayas of Nouakchott, Trarza, Gorgol, Guidimakha, and Brakna have also been summoned.

The case concerns a contract worth approximately 80 million new ouguiyas, for the supply of student desks to regional administrations. It was found that the quantities received were less than those stipulated in the contract, in addition to poor quality, contrary to the terms of the agreement, which required imports from China.

Sources indicate that the company awarded the contract failed to comply with the clause on transport and installation of the desks, forcing some regional administrations to rely on parent-teacher associations for distribution. Despite this, several sector officials signed off on delivery documents for these non-compliant items, which surprised the State Inspectorate — particularly since the supplier had already collected full payment and reclaimed the bank guarantee for the contract.

The controversy did not stop at the desks contract. The ministry also faced problems providing chalk at the start of the last academic year, in addition to other suspicions surrounding the procurement of school bags.

These developments, according to observers, could shake confidence in the administrative bodies overseeing the sector, at a time when the government is working to restructure education and improve its performance. Sources within the ministry suggest that sweeping dismissal decisions affecting several central departments may be issued in the near future.