Panevėžys educators' Japan trip probed; some face bill for unqualified participation

An investigation into a study tour for educators from Panevėžys, Lithuania, to Japan has uncovered significant irregularities in participant selection, leading to a financial loss for the city municipality. The probe, initiated by the Panevėžys District Prosecutor's Office, focused on a tour titled "STEAM and cultural education in Japanese education" scheduled for May 2025.

Prosecutors found that more than a third of the tour's participants did not meet the specified criteria outlined in the procurement contract. The contract stipulated that 23 individuals, including school principals and educators from Panevėžys general education schools, would participate. However, the investigation revealed that the head of the Education Department of the Panevėžys City Municipality Administration, four of her staff members, and the head of the Panevėžys Psychological Pedagogical Service were not general education school principals or teachers, thus failing to meet the requirements.

An additional participant also did not qualify, as their educational institution's founder was not the Panevėžys City Municipality. The costs associated with these seven unqualified individuals amounted to 19,934 euros. These expenses were not declared in the activity report submitted to the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).

While the CPVA later approved the expenses for the remaining 16 eligible participants, totaling 45,565 euros, the investigation concluded that the municipality suffered a loss of 19,934 euros due to the improper selection. The prosecutor's office stated that the seven individuals who participated without meeting the requirements are now expected to cover this financial damage.