In the media

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 Indian state of Kerala has seen a rapid expansion of crèches, preschools and day care centres, but the sector operates in a regulatory grey zone with no binding framework to ensure standards or safety. A legislative report flagged significant oversight gaps, warning that the lack of monitoring, formal complaint channels and licensing poses risks to children. The committee urged the state to adopt the National ECCE Policy, establish monitoring bodies, introduce formal registration mechanisms and set clear operating and infrastructure regulations.

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.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in its continued efforts to promote better transparency in the education sector, rolled out its open data initiative named Project Bukas that discloses datasets on assessment results and school characteristics. Representatives from the public and private sectors and civil society conveyed their support for Project Bukas, highlighting the value of accessible data in better understanding assessment data and informing educational policies and reforms.

Nigeria’s Senate has approved the “Sexual Harassment of Students” Bill that could impose imprisonment of up to 14 years for academic staff in higher education who sexually harass students. In a context where sex-for-grades scandals have long caused concern, this law protects students while holding academic institutions accountable. It also requires institutions to establish an Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee with investigative powers to bolster accountability.

The Delhi government has launched the School Web App, a unified digital platform for students, parents, and teachers that aims to centralize school services like timetables, homework, attendance, performance tracking, and parent-teacher communication. In line with the goals of Digital India and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, proponents argue that the education system will become more transparent, accessible and accountable by reducing paperwork.

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.

A nationwide survey by England’s Office for Students revealed alarming levels of sexual misconduct in universities: 14% of students reported sexual violence, one in four faced harassments. Women and LGBTQ+ students were disproportionately affected. With 52,000 responses, this is the first sector-wide data, prompting calls for stronger prevention, training, and accountability measures.

The podcast highlights widespread corruption in South Africa’s education system, where the Education Labor Relations Council (ELRC) has launched an investigation into ghost teachers and the sale of teaching posts. Flawed hiring practices—especially the failure to advertise many entry-level positions—have enabled bribery and manipulation by principals and officials. This erodes trust, prevents qualified graduates from securing jobs, and wastes public resources. The ELRC, together with unions and the Department of Education, is developing measures to strengthen transparency and accountability.

The Ondo State Government praised the Federal Government’s launch of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), calling it a landmark reform against certificate racketeering and academic fraud. NERD digitizes Nigeria’s academic output and standardized credential verification. It also introduces the National Publication Index to enhance academic integrity, and indigenous knowledge governance.