The Court of Auditors of the State of Mato Grosso (TCE-MT) determined the deepening of supervision over the contracts carried out by the Municipal Department of Education of Cuiabá for the acquisition of teaching materials in the years 2025 and 2026. The decision, handed down by counselor Waldir Júlio Teis in Single Judgment No. 832/WJT/2026, was published in the Official Gazette of Accounts this Tuesday (18.08) and establishes that the technical area checks, among other points, the number of students served, the purpose of the books and the technological structure available in the teaching units.
TCE expands investigation into purchase of teaching materials in Cuiabá
The Court of Auditors of the State of Mato Grosso (TCE-MT) determined the deepening of supervision over the contracts carried out by the Municipal Department of Education of Cuiabá for the acquisition of teaching materials in the years...
832/WJT/2026, was published in the Official Gazette of Accounts this Tuesday (18.08) and establishes that the technical area checks, among other points, the number of students served, the purpose of the books and the technological structure available in the teaching units. The investigation originated from an External Representation presented by the Public...
- The investigation originated from an External Representation presented by the Public Education Workers Union of Mato Grosso (Sintep/MT), which pointed out possible irregularities in hiring.
- Among the suspicions presented are the use of artificial intelligence in the creation of content, possible overpricing and acquisition of a quantity of materials above the actual demand of...
- According to the union, contracts related to teaching materials would exceed R$80 million, while approximately R$20 million would have already been settled.
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The investigation originated from an External Representation presented by the Public Education Workers Union of Mato Grosso (Sintep/MT), which pointed out possible irregularities in hiring. Among the suspicions presented are the use of artificial intelligence in the creation of content, possible overpricing and acquisition of a quantity of materials above the actual demand of the municipal network.
According to the union, contracts related to teaching materials would exceed R$80 million, while approximately R$20 million would have already been settled. The acquisition of books for values ??that could reach around R$800 per unit was also reported.
During the analysis of the case, however, those responsible contested the irregularities highlighted. Former municipal secretary of Education Amauri Monge Fernandes stated that there would not be a single contract worth R$80 million, but different administrative processes, with their own objects, suppliers and instruments. As an example, he cited Contract No. 319/2025, referring to Environmental Education, worth R$240 per kit. According to the demonstration, the material consists of four thematic books, a family book and an augmented reality application.
The defense also argued that the hiring does not just involve physical books. Solutions include materials for students and teachers, continuing training and a digital platform. Therefore, according to the former secretary, the cost should be analyzed considering the entire solution acquired, and not just the individual price of a book.
The mayor of Cuiabá, Abilio Brunini, informed the Court that the Municipal Comptroller General (CGM) itself had recommended the precautionary suspension of payments even before the representation protocol, which took place on June 3rd. The recommendation was issued on May 29 and involved Contracts No. 277/2025, 309/2025, 319/2025, 320/2025, 340/2025, 343/2025 and 345/2025.
According to the Municipality, an audit of the contracts was in its final stages. The same facts are also investigated by the Public Ministry of the State of Mato Grosso, through the 12th Civil Justice Prosecutor's Office of the District of Cuiabá.
TCE gathers investigation into accounts process
When analyzing the case, the 2nd External Control Secretariat of the TCE-MT identified that the contracts were already examined in the Management Accounts process nº 271.665-8/2026, whose instruction began on February 27, before the representation protocol. Given the connection between the processes, advisor Waldir Teis decided to add the representation to the Management Accounts process. The measure seeks to concentrate the analysis of contracts in a single procedure and avoid conflicting decisions.
As a result, the representation was heard by the Court, but without judging the merits, as the facts will be examined in the accounting process considered more appropriate for a broad inspection of the management of the Municipal Education Department.
Four points must be checked
The decision determined that the 2nd Secex should deepen the analysis of the contracts and, if it has not already been done, check four specific points. The first is the number of students who would be served by the acquisitions and the purpose of the books. It must also be identified for which teaching levels and subjects the materials were intended.
Another point is the composition of the acquired solutions. Inspection should analyze materials intended for students and teachers, continuing training and digital platforms, including how they are accessed, used and delivered. Finally, the TCE determined that it must be determined whether the municipal network units had computers or similar equipment in sufficient quantity for teachers and students to use both continuing education and online systems.
The decision did not conclude that the irregularities highlighted in the representation existed. The objective, at this stage, is to deepen inspection within the Management Accounts process and gather elements to assess the regularity of hiring.