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.

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.

The Kenyan government ordered an audit of 790 public secondary schools as part of the 2024/2025 financial review to enhance transparency in the education sector. The audit will examine financial management systems and procurement, with officials required to provide relevant documentation. Authorities aim to strengthen internal controls, ensure compliance with financial rules and safeguard public funds.

In Nigeria, the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board launched an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to strengthen integrity in basic education management. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission officials emphasized that the unit should act as a supportive mechanism, not an adversarial body. ACTU’s responsibilities include reviewing processes, conducting staff sensitisation, enforcing ethical standards, and conducting preliminary investigations.

The Nigerian National Universities Commission (NUC) has banned the awarding of honorary degrees to serving public officials. This decision was taken after an investigation found that honorary degrees are being used as a way to fraudulently gain the title ‘Dr’. The head of NUC warned that misuse of honorary titles undermines the integrity of universities and diminishes public trust in genuine academic qualifications. The report identified 32 Nigerian institutions operating as honorary degree mills.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has identified 55 offices in Kerala, India, that are suspected of corruption. Officials are suspected of having collected bribes from teacher candidates to then redistribute them among official staff. The case includes the artificial increase of student numbers to maintain teacher positions, and the appointment of staff without following disability reservation norms.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of Indonesia is set to embed anti-corruption education into the national curriculum. The idea is to break the current vicious cycle of corruption, where young people in their 20s and 30s are already committing acts of corruption. The idea is to foster a culture of integrity and ethical behaviour among future generations, and to reduce corruption through anti-corruption education from an early age.

The Federal Government has unveiled a landmark initiative aimed at entrenching transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Nigeria’s tertiary education system with the official launch of the Federal Government Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Platform (FTIGTP). The initiative will serve as a unified digital platform providing real-time access to accurate data and financial information across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The platform aims not only to strengthen public confidence but also improve efficiency in the management of educational resources and foster innovation.

To address corruption in Ukraine’s education sector, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention has held an event to publish its “Education Integrity Development Strategy for 2026–2030”. The campaign aims to instil a culture of honesty, transparency and ethical behaviour across all levels of education. It plans concrete reforms, including updating teaching materials and teacher training in integrity.

The Bangladeshi government plans to publish a white paper reviewing irregularities in the Ministry of Education during the previous administration. The document will cover teacher recruitment issues, grade inflation, politically influenced school listings, and infrastructure spending concerns. Current initiatives include forming a committee to appoint university leaders to improve governance and transparency.