Md Shah Alam: On July 2, 2022, Mustak Ahmed’s article in the Jugantor newspaper titled “Severe Corruption in 12 Sectors of Education” caught my attention, prompting me to propose the following recommendations. Several reports and studies have highlighted severe irregularities and corruption in various sectors of Bangladesh’s education system. Severe corruption plagues the education sector, spanning from the ministry to educational institutions. Some ministry officials exploit their power to delay document processing, creating opportunities for corruption. Misuse of project vehicles and irregularities in construction tenders are prevalent. Additionally, leaking textbook information to publishers for illicit gain, extorting extra fees from students, and engaging in illegal coaching and guidebook sales are common. Overall, at least 12 areas within the education sector are highly prone to corruption.

The following outlines the main areas of corruption and provides recommendations for addressing these issues:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) emphasizes the serious impact of exam question leaks on students’ futures. They call for the appointment of qualified, honest teachers for question preparation, strict monitoring, and strict penalties for offenders. The ACC recommends appointing honest teachers to question-setting committees and prosecuting offenders under anti-money laundering and ICT laws. They also identify the involvement of corrupt officials, coaching centers, and criminal networks. The issue of teachers prioritizing illicit earnings through coaching centers over proper classroom instruction necessitates enhanced classroom monitoring and adherence to transfer policies. Additionally, political pressure and financial transactions often influence teacher recruitment and transfers, undermining educational quality and necessitating a transparent, merit-based process. Infrastructural deficiencies persist, with many villages lacking primary schools and existing schools facing teacher shortages, requiring infrastructural development and new institutions. Counterfeit textbooks and educational materials compromise quality, highlighting the need for transparency in distribution. Strict guidelines for resource allocation, specific travel criteria, and scrutiny of spending on non-essential activities are essential for accountability and efficiency. Promoting transparency and accountability in resource use, strengthening internal controls, and involving the community in educational initiatives are crucial for enhancing education quality.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reported significant corruption issues to the Ministry of Education. They recommended reactivating complaint boxes in all departments and agencies to prevent harassment and corruption. The ACC identified coaching and note-guide businesses as sources of corruption due to improper classroom teaching, illegal wealth acquisition, and lack of educational monitoring. Additionally, some school principals exploit their position to support coaching businesses.

Corruption in various sectors of Bangladesh’s education system has reached alarming levels. If implemented effectively, these measures can significantly improve the state of education in Bangladesh and mitigate the impact of corruption on the sectors. From my point of view, the following proposals are designed to tackle and alleviate these issues effectively:

1. Strengthening Oversight in Question Paper Preparation:- To prevent question leaks, appoint highly qualified and honest teachers to prepare exam questions. Implement rigorous monitoring during the question-setting process and impose strict penalties for those involved in leaks.
2. Regulating Coaching Centers and Note-Guide Sales:- Increase classroom monitoring to ensure proper teaching. Enforce policies that prevent teachers from promoting their coaching centers or note guides. Ensure that only qualified teachers handle subjects like Mathematics and English in urban schools.
3. Transparent Teacher Recruitment and Transfers:- Establish a merit-based and transparent recruitment and transfer process for teachers. Eliminate political and financial influences to ensure that qualified educators are given priority.
4. It is improving Educational Infrastructure:-Address the lack of educational institutions by developing infrastructure in underserved areas. Establish more primary schools in the 16,142 villages that currently lack them and ensure adequate staffing in existing schools.
5. Ensuring Authentic Textbook Distribution:- Enhance transparency in the distribution of textbooks to prevent counterfeit materials from reaching students. Monitor the entire distribution process rigorously to maintain the quality of educational resources.
6. Developing a Comprehensive Education Policy:- Formulate a long-term education policy that encompasses all aspects of the education system, including infrastructure development, teacher recruitment, and resource allocation.
7. It is making the Teaching Profession More Attractive:-Nationalize education to provide better incentives and make the teaching profession more appealing. This can help attract and retain qualified teachers.
8. Regular Monitoring of Educational Institutions:- Implement regular inspections and monitoring of schools to ensure adherence to educational standards and proper conduct by teachers.
9. Promoting Ethical Standards Among Students:- Foster a culture of ethics and values in students to prepare them for a future free from corruption. Incorporate lessons on integrity and moral values into the curriculum. Instilling strong ethical standards and values in students is essential for building a future society free from corruption.
10. Community Involvement in Education:- Engage local communities in the oversight of schools. Encourage parents and community members to participate in school management and decision-making processes.
11. Technological Integration in Education Management:- Utilize technology to streamline administrative processes, monitor teacher performance, and manage resources efficiently. Digital platforms can help in maintaining transparency and accountability.
12. Strengthening Anti-Corruption Mechanisms:- Enhance the capabilities of anti-corruption bodies to investigate and prosecute corruption cases in the education sector. Establish hotlines and reporting mechanisms for whistleblowers to report corruption anonymously.
13. Political Will and Leadership: Finally, political leaders must demonstrate a strong commitment to combating corruption in the education sector. This includes prioritizing anti-corruption efforts, allocating sufficient resources, and leading by example through their ethical conduct.
14. Ensuring Honesty in Teachers and Governing Bodies:-Teachers and governing bodies must uphold honesty, dignity, and morals to shape future generations effectively. Corruption in education degrades our society, making it essential for educators and officials to be corruption-free and dedicated to building a better nation.

Question leakage is a major issue that can negatively impact future generations. I have identified some key points to help minimize this harmful activity. The following recommendations are aimed at preventing question paper leaks, which have had a significant impact on the nation and deeply affected me. These proposals are designed to tackle this issue and safeguard future generations from the destructive effects of exam paper leaks:-

1. Select Qualified and Ethical Teachers: Appoint competent, honest, and value-driven teachers to the question-setting committee and closely monitor their activities.
2. Legal Actions: Prosecute offenders under anti-money laundering and ICT laws. The ACC can also file breach of trust cases against government employees.
3. Conflict of Interest: Ensure committee members do not have children or dependents taking the exams.
4. Centralize Exam Centers: Reduce the number of exam centers and centralize them at the sub-district level.

Conclusion:- Implementing these proposals can significantly reduce corruption in the education sector and improve the overall quality of education in Bangladesh. Addressing corruption in the education system is crucial for the development and progress of Bangladesh.

Author: Md Shah Alam is a Teacher at CU and Phd Researcher on Rohingya Refugees at IIUM, Malayasia. He can be reached at shah1alamdu@yahoo.com