A global surge in fraudulent research papers, exceeding 10,000 retractions last year, has become an international scandal. Originating in China, the issue has spread to other regions, with "paper mills" producing fabricated studies. Bribes to editors and infiltration of fraudulent agents exacerbate the problem. Major publishers are taking action, but financial incentives for researchers to publish persist. The escalating prevalence of sham science is eroding the foundation of trustworthy scientific knowledge, prompting calls for systematic solutions to address this growing threat to the integrity of research.

A recent investigation by Science Magazine exposes a rise of paper mills resorting to bribery and corruption to secure publication of fake or substandard papers. These organizations pay off journal editors, leading to a network of deceitful practices that threaten the integrity of scholarly publishing. The investigation reveals widespread involvement of editors and prestigious institutions in accepting bribes. Such unethical practices bypass the peer-review process, undermining the quality and reliability of published research.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) is requesting a meeting with Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education in response to allegations of corruption within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) claims to possess recordings of meetings between the NSFAS board chairperson and a representative of NSFAS service providers. According to OUTA, these recordings suggest that service providers paid substantial kickbacks to the Higher Education Minister and the SA Communist Party (SACP) in exchange for tenders.

Employees within the Sindh College Education Department allege corruption and nepotism in the recent rapid promotions of lower-ranked workers to higher positions. Around 185 promotions from Grades 1-3 to Grade 11 occurred under relaxed rules, requiring only a short computer-based typing test, bypassing verified Computer Certificates. Sources claim the promoted individuals lacked computer skills and that bribery influenced the process. Some employees, who attempted the test, expressed frustration as those with computer expertise failed while those without passed, questioning the legitimacy of the process.

In Albania, citizens are frequently asked to pay a bribe when using basic public services. As revealed by Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index surveys, the sectors most vulnerable to corruption, according to Albanian respondents, include politics (92%), the judiciary (81%), healthcare (80%), education (70%), police (58%), and civil services (52%). To combat this, Albania has launched Spak, a specialized anti-corruption body made up of a prosecution office, a national investigation bureau, and special courts.

Students protested in front of the Mauritanian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for concerns over transparency in awarding foreign scholarships. A wide range of medical and baccalaureate students were excluded while 90 out of 200 scholarships offered by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation have been retained. The lack of transparency in scholarship distribution aligns with broader corruption problems seen in African higher education systems, including nepotism and favoritism.

Investigations carried out by the State Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Bureau have revealed cases of corruption within the offices of the Department of Education, particularly in relation to the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided public schools, the payment of subsidies for management purposes, the creation of new unauthorized posts, the fixing of salaries, retirement benefits and the granting of leave. Since 2018, management appointments for non-existent vacancies have been illegally validated. In addition, government-approved orders for posts in aided schools have been deliberately delayed due to non-payment of bribes.

The quality of education in Pakistan is extremely poor by world standards. Children study the same books as their parents did, or probably their grandparents. In Sindh, students who don't sit exams end up passing them. In Lahore, at the main examination centres located next to the board office, bribing and cheating are common practices. Professors are absent from classes and concentrate on maintaining their relations with influential individuals. Examination staff close the examination rooms to those who refuse to abide by the routine.