Inspection of the Bureau of Administration, Office of Overseas Schools

What OIG Inspected

OIG inspected the Office of Overseas Schools, located under the Directorate of Operations in the Bureau of Administration.

What OIG Recommends

OIG made 6 recommendations to the Bureau of Administration. In its comments on the draft report, the Bureau of Administration concurred with all 6 recommendations. OIG considers all 6 recommendations resolved. The Bureau of Administration’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The bureau’s formal written response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.

What OIG Found

• Department of State and other stakeholders described the office as effective in supporting overseas schools attended by the dependents of U.S. Government employees.
• The Office of Overseas Schools responded to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing grant funding to overseas schools to mitigate risks caused by the pandemic.
• A lack of standard operating procedures contributed to some operational deficiencies and internal controls weaknesses.
• The office did not follow Department requirements to monitor grants and review unliquidated obligations. More than $3 million could be put to better use if the office improved its review of unliquidated obligations.
• Spotlight on Success: The Office of Overseas Schools’ partnership with private sector companies and foundations through the Overseas Schools Advisory Council resulted in important innovations in international education.