In the media

A report by Dublin City University Anti-Corruption Research Centre found that up to 11 per cent of adults have been asked for sexual acts by public servants or know someone who has been. The study highlights that women and minority groups are more vulnerable, and that factors like discretionary power and lack of transparency in these sectors contribute to the problem.

Moldova will introduce a national anti-plagiarism system to check all bachelor’s and master’s theses starting this year, following an investigation into the buying and selling of academic papers. The Ministry of Education launched internal reviews, involved law enforcement, and called for parliamentary hearings with multiple state institutions to address academic fraud. Officials describe plagiarism as a serious issue undermining higher education and plan stricter laws, including possible annulment of fraudulent diplomas.

The government in Bangladesh will investigate widespread irregularities and corruption in the education sector from 2008 to 2025 and may publish a white paper based on the findings. Inspections have already revealed major issues, with action taken against 330 college-level lecturers, including dismissals and salary suspensions for using fake certificates.

Ghana is preparing to recruit 1,200 new university lecturers and 7,000 teachers to address staffing shortages, but the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission now requires all applicants to have their qualifications verified to prevent the use of fake degrees. This follows growing concerns about fraudulent and unaccredited certificates, which threaten education quality and credibility. UTAG stresses the need for stronger enforcement and legal action against academic fraud.

The principal of Educrest International School in Gurugram, India, has been arrested for allegedly running a fraud by falsely claiming Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliation. The school is accused of admitting students without proper recognition, collecting fees under false claims, and compromising the academic future of at least 25 students.

A Moroccan court sentenced a university professor and four others for bribery and illegally selling master’s degree placements at Ibn Zohr University. The case highlighted the need for major reforms, including more transparency in admissions, stronger oversight, digital systems, and stricter anti-corruption measures to restore confidence in the education system.

Mauritania is planning to digitize its national exams and competitive entrance tests to improve transparency, fairness, and reliability. The initiative, led by the Education and Digital Transformation ministries, will introduce digital tools across the exam process, from setting papers to grading, to reduce errors and increase traceability. A phased rollout with testing stages has been agreed to ensure system stability before large-scale use.

A new Transparency International report titled Leaving No Learner Behind reveals widespread corruption in education systems across Africa, based on research in five countries: DRC, Ghana, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. The study finds that practices such as ghost teachers, payroll fraud, cheating, exam bribery, and sexual exploitation are undermining education quality and access, particularly for vulnerable learners.

The Zambian Ministry of Education has launched the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) in 29 districts to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing education funds. The system will cover 71 secondary schools across selected provinces and integrate budgeting, procurement, accounting, and reporting into one platform. To support implementation, the government has supplied ICT equipment to participating schools.

The 2025 report by the Special Commissioner for Investigations (SCI) of the New York City School District highlights widespread cases of professional misconduct within the country’s largest school system. Last year, the SCI received nearly 12,000 complaints regarding fraud, abuse and financial misconduct, opening 471 investigations and closing 393. The report estimates that the Department of Education and the city’s pension schemes suffered losses of nearly $2 million.