In the media

The Paraguayan Education Ministry (MEC) suspended a nationwide teacher recruitment exam after more than 13,000 applicants reported widespread fraud in the previous test. Evidence presented by the National Directors’ Union (Sinadi) indicated that proctors and Ministry staff showed favoritism by assisting specific candidates in completing the exam, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability in recruitment practices.

The Philippine Department of Education launched the Paaralang Bukas Dashboard, an open data portal providing public access to school-level information on performance, resources, and needs. Designed to enhance transparency and accountability, the initiative empowers parents, teachers, and local governments to monitor education investments and outcomes.

A teachers’ group urged the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines to investigate an alleged “item-for-sale” scheme where public school teaching posts are reportedly sold for cash. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition condemned the practice, calling it a matter of justice and fairness, and pledged cooperation with DepEd to expose and eliminate corruption in the teacher hiring process.

New UK government guidance allows teachers to use AI for routine tasks, aiming to save time on administrative tasks. The Department for Education states AI use should be transparent, results checked, and approved tools utilized. While beneficial for workload reduction, experts note that for widespread adoption, more investment, research, and parental acceptance are required.

Malawi's National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) encourages universities to adhere to ethical guidelines for honorary doctorates, preventing misuse for political or financial gain. This follows a crackdown on fake qualifications that aims to ensure transparency and integrity, preserving academic value and public trust.

In Pakistan, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for a special audit of all educational boards across the province amid concerns over financial irregularities and corruption in the marking system. Reports have surfaced of students receiving high marks in exchange for money, contributing to a decline in educational quality. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has made intermediate education free, allocating ₹2 billion annually to cover examination fees.

In Pakistan, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) has accused the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BBISE) of corrupt practices and exam result manipulation. The BBISE has allegedly been involved in bribery and political favoritism, leading to unfair exam outcomes and forged certificates. This case underscores how corruption within educational institutions can normalize unethical conduct. A BSAC representative has called for an immediate inquiry into the board and urgent reforms to hold those responsible accountable.

Since January 1st, 2025, a new law requires Californian school board members to undergo two hours of ethics training at least once every two years. This mandate also applies to school districts, county boards of education, and governing bodies of charter schools. The training covers topics such as legal issues, conflicts of interest, respect, and professional discourse.

Roslyn New York school principal and her assistant were involved in a case of embezzlement that misappropriated some $11 million from students. At the New Orleans Public School, 30 convictions were recorded, including a former school board president who took more than $140,000 in bribes. According to reports from the Inspector General of the Department of Education, the office receives more corruption reports than it can investigate.

Over 2,000 primary school teachers from about 27 local government areas of Oyo State protested on what they described as monumental frauds being perpetrated by some officials of the state in connivance with some State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) officials. In Ibadan North Local Government alone, about 109 teachers claimed that the fraudulent state officials fleeced them over N54m from illegal deductions made from their salaries.