In the media

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 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.

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.

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.

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP) Board is enhancing efforts against age fraud in High School exams, especially in sports. It plans stronger safeguards, integrating Aadhaar and a 12-digit unique student identifier (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry - APAAR), part of the National Education Policy 2020's 'One Nation, One Student ID' initiative. This aims to secure registration, ensure data authenticity, and minimize fraud.

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.

In Kazakhstan, the rise of AI in writing necessitates addressing ethical issues concerning academic integrity. Key challenges include redefining plagiarism, ensuring student accountability, and mitigating hidden biases within AI models. Universities must implement transparent, nuanced policies, promote AI literacy, and integrate discussions on algorithmic bias into curricula, fostering a culture of originality, critical thinking, and equitable AI integration.

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.

The Philippine Department of Education has introduced a confidential reporting platform for schools and the public to flag illegal or corrupt activities in procurement processes. This initiative follows audits that raised concerns about past procurement practices and supply contracts. The platform aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the Department’s activities.