Corruption Watch’s newly-released report shows that corruption has continued to affect the country’s education sector.
This is despite the numerous policies and legislation intended to provide access to decent education.
According to Corruption Watch, for over 10 years it has received disturbing complaints of alleged corruption across basic and higher education institutions throughout the country.
The recently launched report highlights about 3 667 education-related corruption cases received between 2012 and 2021.
The report points to widespread misappropriation of resources, acts of bribery, sextortion, abuse of authority, and blatant flouting of employment and procurement processes.
Thursday’s report specifically looks at how corruption has impacted mainly primary and secondary schools.
Corruption Watch Senior Researcher, Melusi Ncala says they have found that there’s a persistent failure by government and law enforcement to act against educators, principals, administrators, unions, and board members implicated in corrupt activities which are usually motivated by personal greed.
Most affected provinces are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
OUT NOW! Education is viewed as an important tool to dismantle inequality and is guaranteed to all in our Bill of Rights. Our new report reveals that we have a #corrupteducation sector, despite numerous policies intended to provide access to education: https://t.co/Eage1oV9uL. pic.twitter.com/XGOrONX2Qd
— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 25, 2022
Whistle-blowers have brought to our attention how administrators would short-change students on their stipends, leaving them stranded/unable to continue with courses. In some cases, applicants are asked to pay bribes if they want admission into programmes: https://t.co/Eage1oV9uL pic.twitter.com/1bY2sAN4NJ
— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 25, 2022
The forms of #corruption that are reported in SETAs are procurement irregularities, followed by maladministration and misappropriation of resources. Once again, it is people in positions of power who are seen to solicit bribes and flout recruitment processes. #CorruptEducation pic.twitter.com/PoH7CjFYsK
— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 25, 2022
