This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Please share any lessons (successes and/or challenges) from efforts to combat corruption in the education sector in fragile or conflict affected states, paying particular regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Content
1. Corruption, fragility and the education sector
2. Fighting corruption in education in fragile settings
3. Corruption and education in Afghanistan
4. References
Summary
Fighting corruption in education has the potential to mitigate some of the root causes of fragility and restore citizens’ trust in the government’s capacity to deliver public services. Corruption can occur at all stages of the education service delivery chain, from school planning and management, to student admissions and examinations as well as to teacher management and professional conduct. These risks can be exacerbated in fragile settings which are often characterised by weak governance structures, limited infrastructures, inadequate political leadership and reduced human, organisational and institutional capacity of government.
There is still relatively little evidence of what comprises good practice on how to fight corruption in fragile states, including as it relates to the education sector. Recommendations typically include the establishment of transparent regulations and procedures, reforms of the procurement and public finance management (PFM) system, transparent teacher management systems, the introduction of codes of conduct for educational staff, robust information systems in the area of teacher registration and management, examination and access to university. Social accountability initiatives also have potential and may be the most viable option in some challenging environments.
Authors
Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected]Reviewers
Robin Hodess, Transparency InternationalDate
12/09/2012
