From shelf to school
How better warehousing keeps classrooms supplied
Main points
- Closing gaps in school deliveries: In 2019, only 6.7 percent of rural primary schools received complete printed materials in good condition and on time. Better warehouse management addresses one of the main causes of these delays.
- Standard protocols and better data: The programme introduced a Warehouse Management Protocol and digital georeferencing tools, helping regional governments assess warehouse conditions, identify problems and plan improvements based on evidence.
- Space recovered and costs reduced: In San Martín, the work freed up around 1,080 m² of warehouse space and generated estimated annual savings of PEN 231,000 (USD 68,000) by reducing the need for rented storage.
- Stronger regional capacity: Training, digital tools and clearer procedures are helping regional governments manage public resources more independently and support more reliable education services.
- Influencing national practice: Evidence and tools developed in six regions have informed work by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, including similar warehouse management assessments elsewhere and changes to guidance on storage and inventories.
School books and other learning materials only help students if they arrive on time and in good condition.
With support from the Swiss SECO-funded Subnational Public Finance Management programme, regional governments in Peru are modernising how educational materials are stored and delivered. Standardised protocols, digital tools and capacity building are turning warehouses from simple storage spaces into more efficient links in the education supply chain.
The result: more students – particularly in remote and vulnerable areas – receive the learning materials they need, when they need them and in good condition. This is helping to make access to education more equitable while making better use of public resources.
About this publication
This publication presents insights and lessons learned from over a decade of working with regional and municipal governments in Peru to strengthen public financial management systems and practices under our Programa GFP Subnacional. The programme is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) through its cooperation programme in Peru.
You may share this publication under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International Licence.
Disclaimer: The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Basel Institute on Governance, its donors and partners, or the University of Basel.
Programa GFP Subnacional. 2026. “From shelf to school: How better warehousing keeps classrooms supplied”. Basel Institute on Governance. Available at: https:/