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.

Education authorities in the Philippines have signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) to take action against “diploma mills”. The establishment of the JMC is a direct response to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which found an alarming level of unaccredited and substandard programs in higher education, especially in teacher education. The JMC addresses this until 2029 by establishing, among others, an Online National Registry (ONR) and a Quality Assurance Harmonization Committee to create transparency over accredited programs.

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 technical review of Ghana’s computerized school placement system is underway as the Ministry of Education seeks to boost transparency, fairness, and efficiency in senior high school admissions. The review, led by a team of education managers, ICT experts, and student and parent representatives, aims to modernize the system and restore public confidence in one of the country’s key education gateways.

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.

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Finance Minister has started a province-wide check to remove ghost workers from the Education Department. Nonexistent or former employees, including teachers who resigned, were dismissed, or died, are still receiving pay. This problem may be costing the department about 1 billion rand (approx. 57.31 million USD) every year, calling for urgent action.

Eight publicly funded Hong Kong universities have signed three-year accountability agreements with the government, increasing oversight of budgets and university operations. Experts warn that, while the agreements aim to improve transparency and performance indicators, they may also reduce university autonomy by pressuring institutions to align with government priorities.

The Central Bureau of Investigation of India uncovered a massive medical education scam involving 34 accused individuals – among them senior health officials and private college leaders – affecting over 40 institutions nationwide. Eight people have been arrested so far, including three doctors, linked to bribes totaling at least 5.5 million rupees (approx. 65,000 USD). The scam involved bribery, forgery, fake faculty, and manipulated inspections.

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.

The Thai government has suspended two major cloud and IT procurement projects worth over 41 billion Baht (approx. 1.1 billion USD) for the Ministries of Education and Higher Education due to concerns over unfair tender processes and potential corruption. Triggered by a complaint from the Anti-Corruption Network Foundation, the suspension targets projects with allegedly restrictive specifications that may favor a single vendor and breach the government's “Cloud-First Policy”.