Stagnation in Probing Corruption at 39,000 Educational Institutions

Activities to detect corruption at nearly 39,000 non-government MPO-listed and recognized schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions across the country have slowed significantly. The directorate responsible for inspection and audit under the Ministry of Education has come under criticism for negligence and irregularities in carrying out its mandate.

According to sources, the number of institutional inspections over the past year has dropped by nearly half compared to previous years. Many officials are reportedly spending time at the office instead of conducting field inspections, resulting in fewer cases of irregularities being identified. Allegations suggest that some officials submit clean reports in exchange for bribes, while junior officers are allegedly pressured by a section of senior officials.

Around half a million teachers and staff are currently employed in MPO-listed and recognized educational institutions nationwide. Despite having a limited number of officials to oversee audits and inspections, complaints indicate that a group within the directorate has formed an organized bribery network. These officials are accused of completing audits from their offices rather than visiting institutions, allegedly in return for financial benefits.

The situation has fueled dissatisfaction within the education administration. Concerns have grown as those whose reports form the basis for government action are themselves facing repeated allegations of corruption. Recent transfer decisions have also drawn criticism, with claims that officials serving short tenures were transferred while others remained in the same posts for years.

Multiple inspectors and assistant inspectors are reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly accepting bribes during audits. Internal sources claim that after earlier incidents of direct bribery were exposed, methods shifted to indirect transactions through third parties at undisclosed locations. It is also alleged that during inspections, officials highlight administrative weaknesses to intimidate teachers and staff into compliance.

The directorate, however, maintains that despite fewer inspections, reports are being prepared properly and appropriate action is being taken based on those findings. It has also issued a strict warning against any financial transactions during inspections, urging concerned parties to report any monetary demands in writing.

According to official data, over the past year the directorate has identified hundreds of fake and unacceptable certificates, recommended the recovery of large areas of government land, and advised the return of hundreds of crores of taka to the state treasury due to financial irregularities. Nevertheless, stakeholders believe that the slowdown in field-level inspections continues to hinder effective efforts to curb corruption in the education sector.