Murjani Sports Gymnasium (MSG) is in financial difficulties. Its budget of 2.8 million euros is not enough to cover all expenses. To save the situation, the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), which is the founder of the school, had to find another 170,000 euros for this year. At the same time, the MSG audit is taking place, but it is clear that the current funding for the school is not enough and the opportunities to save are limited. As a usual solution, the Ministry of Interior offers the creation of a working group – it will decide what to do next and develop a medium-term strategy.
I will form a working group
Already last year, MSG ended with a debt of 142,000 euros, although an additional 174,000 euros was granted. The increase in prices occurred in the section of goods and services, and in August this year it was found that 90% of the funds intended for this purpose had been used. This was a signal to the Ministry of the Interior to initiate an audit to ascertain why such a situation is developing. Its first stage has been completed, but the deadline has been extended by another month, Aleksandrs Samoilovs, director of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Interior, explained in the Saeima’s Sports Subcommittee. 201,000 euros are needed to cover expenses until the end of this year. The school requested a larger amount, but the Ministry of Education and Culture managed to reduce it by developing a short-term and long-term savings plan and a usage control system. Various optimization solutions are also being considered, as well as the possibility of attracting funds from the European Union’s structural funds – they would be used to improve the premises and infrastructure of the MSG. The merger of the two Jūrmala structural units is also being evaluated in order to reduce the administrative burden. And, of course, as usual, a working group will be formed to “develop a school development vector together with cooperation partners”, said A. Samoilov. The concept should be ready by the beginning of the next school year. The parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture Silvija Amatniece (JV) reminded that there have been different opinions about the school’s operating model – even completely opposite. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Culture wants a broader conversation with the parties involved, also about reducing or expanding the number of sports offered by MSG. The ministry would be ready to present the first material to politicians at the end of this year.
Even toilet paper is missing
The director of MSG, Sergejs Chevers, admitted that the situation has been going on for a long time and that the school cannot exist in the current model and reorganization or optimization is needed. He also urged the Ministry of Education and Culture to work on the further development plan with those sports federations that are interested in the school’s activities, namely the handball, cycling, sledging and volleyball federations.
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2024-09-26 08:08:20