THE 9 FUNCTIONS OF THE STUDENT COMPTROLLER - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The functions of the student comptroller, a position established in Colombia as a common figure in schools and colleges in general, are to enforce the public goods of the educational institution through honesty and transparency.

The controller is a student who exercises the function of social control with the educational institution and the community to which he belongs. This position is elected by students enrolled in an educational institution. For this election, the size or number of levels and grades taught by the institution does not matter, as only one per school will be chosen.

The person who holds the position of student comptroller has the duty to encourage the student body to promote social control.

Through mechanisms such as accountability, the purpose of the existence of the position of student comptroller lies in the involvement of the students of an institution in its operation, in addition to the public audit of the decisions that are made in it..

Main functions of a student controller

1- To achieve an articulation between the students of an educational institution and the governing bodies of the same

The student comptroller acts as one of the highest authorities of the student body upon being elected by this group. For this reason, one of the comptroller's duties is to ensure that his electorate is directly linked to the institutions to which he responds.

Connecting students with the issues discussed in the board of directors, in person or not, is part of the controller's job.

2- Be accountable to your electorate

As in any other public office, the student comptroller has the duty to respond to the population he represents, in this case with the students of an educational center.

That is why at a certain time, the controller must present the results of their management to the students and they must always respond to the requests and requests made by any of their represented, as well as accompany them in any requirement they have before the educational authorities.

3- Institutionalize the values ​​of the tax culture

When referring to a controller function, probably the first thought to be associated is related to accounts. Although this is not the only function of a controller, it is among its main competencies.

In this sense, before watching over the accounts, the student controller must ratify before their clients the importance of watching over the accounts of the institutions in which they participate, thus establishing a fiscal culture in which everything that enters or leaves is controlled..

4- Reinforce values ​​of transparency and honesty

Beyond its audit function, the student controller represents a figure where values ​​must be imparted, such as honesty and transparency.

With pedagogy, the student comptroller can convey to the students the importance that honesty should be enhanced in all aspects of public life, as well as maintaining transparency in all acts, including those inherent to their position.

5- Ensure transparency in the financing of the educational institution

Probably the most popular role of the student comptroller is to audit and actively participate in all economic activities carried out by the educational institution in which they represent.

The student comptroller has the right to access the documents of the financial movements of the institution if he considers that the students may be harmed in any way.

6- Supervise the hiring processes carried out by the educational center

Upon being elected by the student body, student comptrollers tend to analyze which are the most appropriate plans so that students can fully dedicate themselves to this activity.

For this reason, a student comptroller may intervene and oppose a hiring plan for a person or company, arguing that it may be to the detriment of the student community.

7- Promote the improvement of educational quality

The comptroller's work does not only include presence in higher institutions. In direct relation to their electorate, the student comptrollers have the duty to consult their constituents about the improvements they propose so that the educational quality exceeds.

In this way, the existing educational system is audited, proposing the frequent and necessary changes that occur from time to time.

Student comptrollers are able to propose these reforms to the authorities of the educational institution in which they study or even to government entities of an educational nature or controller.

8- Present the reports that are eventually made to higher government instances

The accountability presented by the student controllers to their clients is not the only statement of motives that those who hold that position must carry out.

When irregularities are detected, both in the accounts of educational institutions and in the processes carried out at the proposal or for the benefit of the student body, the student comptroller may prepare reports and take them to the competent bodies.

Once the instances of the educational institution itself have been overcome, entities such as mayors, governments or dependencies of the Comptroller General of the Republic, have the duty to provide answers to the student comptroller of each of the educational institutions.

By making these reports, the student comptroller is able to inform all students who also elected him, about the irregularities he found and the way in which they were clarified or if, on the contrary, they incur an illegality and a criminal process.

9- Devise projects together with the student body and propose it to the institutions

The student comptroller must respond to multiple agencies, so it represents a connection for students in different entities where they can be heard.

When the student comptroller creates a project for the benefit of the students of an educational institution, the figure of the comptroller can present it, not only in the governing councils of the schools, but also in councils of mayors and governorates that can be accessed, especially when you report an irregularity.

References

1. Lacordaire School (sf). We are pioneers in choosing the school contract. Lacordaire School. Recovered from lacordaire.edu.uk.
2. Comptroller of Valera. (sf). School Comptroller Program. Comptroller of Valera. Recovered from contraloriadevalera.gob.ve.
3. School Comptrollers' Offices (sf). What are school comptrollers? Objectives and functions. Special Comptrollers' Offices. Comptroller of Spain. Recovered from isidroparra.edu.co.
4. Comptroller General Department of Cesar. (2016). School Controller Guide. Recovered from issuu.com.
5. Soledad Municipal Comptroller. (sf). Student Comptroller. Soledad Municipal Comptroller. Recovered from contraloriasoledad.gov.co.
6. (sf). Student control regulations. Recovered from mp.antioquiatic.edu.co.
7. Isidro Parra Technical Educational Institution (sf). Functions of the Student Comptroller. Isidro Parra Technical Educational Institution. Recovered from isidroparra.edu.co.