In the media

The South African government has identified 8,854 high-risk cases in its effort to eliminate ghost work in the public sector. In its process to verify all its employees, the highlighted cases were identified to show payment irregularities that need to be clarified in an outstanding audit. As part of the efforts to address this issue, the Education Labour Relations Council is undertaking physical verification of teachers and learners in order to identify possible ghost teachers and ensure spending efficiency.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has published a new Student Visa Integrity Alert in response to multiple cases of applicants attempting to enrol in university programmes with fake passports, enrolment certificates or exam results. While higher education institutions are dependent on incoming international students, the Department warns that admitting students based on fraudulent documents can undermine trust in Australia’s academic programmes.

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.

University of Zimbabwe lecturers raised alarms over widespread academic irregularities, including unqualified teaching, inadequate contact hours, unsupervised research projects, and manipulated exam results. Despite ongoing strikes over salary disputes, the university proceeded with graduation, prompting concerns over academic integrity, student outcomes, and institutional governance.

Delhi’s new 2025 School Education Bill regulates private school fees to prevent arbitrary hikes, ensure accountability, and protect parents. The law grants education authorities powers to freeze accounts or seize property of non-compliant schools. Nearly 300 schools receiving land at concessional rates will also be covered, addressing transparency, governance, and corruption concerns.

A new survey by Transparency International (TI) Initiative in Madagascar reveals widespread corruption in education. 40% of nearly 5,000 respondents reported being victims of corruption in schools, while 81% said they knew of such cases, including diploma buying, exam leaks, and sexual favors for grades. TI warns these practices undermine equal access to education and trust in the system.

A withdrawal of statistics on exam adjustments by England’s exam regulator reveals that previously published figures overstated the number of students receiving extra time. The revision underscores the need for transparency and precise data management to inform public debate, especially on support for students with special educational needs.

South Korea's Ministry of Education allocated KRW58.5 billion (US$40.2 million) to enhance ethical and transparent university admissions. A 2024 report indicated students from top 20% income backgrounds were 5.4 times more likely to enter prestigious universities, with 75% of this gap linked to wealth. Funds for 80 universities aim to reduce reliance on private education, promoting fairness in selection processes.

Student unions have urged the Ministry of Higher Education to conduct a transparent investigation into the allocation of foreign scholarships. Allegations of favoritism and nepotism have surfaced, with lower-performing students being accepted while top students are denied. Of the 300 scholarships allocated annually to Mauritanian students in Morocco, 191 would have been misappropriated.

India’s entrance test system for jobs and professional courses fuels intense competition and corruption. The limited availability of seats for medical courses drives a booming coaching industry and immense pressure on students—30% report mental health issues. Rising unemployment (37% in June 2024) and declining youth economic participation (37%) further expose flaws in the centralized education system, with private schooling contributing to inequality.