In the media

Protesting students at the public Abdelmalek Essaâdi University have called for an investigation into allegations against a professor of mathematics accused of promising female students high marks in exchange for sexual relations, in a case that has rocked the institution and reignited concerns about sexual harassment in Moroccan universities. The sexual harassment allegations came to light after a student created a Facebook page on which she published private conversations and photos. By setting up the Facebook page, the student was acting in compliance with a call by another Arabic Facebook page called Denounce your Harasser, which aims to maximise individual and collective efforts to fight sexual harassment.

A mass exodus of teaching staff is looming at Likhubula Primary School in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre after 28 teachers asked for postings from the school following a stand-off that has arisen between the teachers and the surrounding community. In a letter, the teachers say they do not feel safe at their current workplace after the community openly accused them of misusing the school’s funds. The Chilomoni Ward Councilor accused the teachers of corruption when collecting funds from pupils and when handling other projects at the school.

In Latin America, one high-level scandal after another has tainted current or recent presidents or vice-presidents across the region. The price is awful public services, from transport and education to law enforcement and health care, as state coffers are ransacked while appointments and contracts are awarded as favors rather than on merit. Yet, counter-intuitively, the steady stream of grim headlines about kickbacks, influence-peddling and nepotism may actually be good news. Many experts regard the public revelations as a sign that corruption in the region is actually being tolerated less and less.

A recent study shows that nepotism, materialistic employees, and lack of resources are some of the challenges that hinder the promotion of a culture of integrity in Jordanian universities. Faculty members could play a very important role in addressing these problems by providing courses that promote transparency, justice, accountability, and equality among individuals in society. The Anti-Corruption Commission launched initiatives in 2019 to encourage family-community partnerships improve the educational process.