Corruption is a global problem that affects all sectors of the economy including the education sector. Just like anywhere else, corruption has devastating effects that affects other sectors in the long-term. You can find more information on the type and effect of corruption in this article. Keep reading so you can get a better understanding.

Forms of Corruption

There are five primary forms of corruption in the school system:

  • Embezzlement of funds: It is the use of school funds for private gain. An example is when public officials pocket money allocated for the construction of school buildings; therefore, no developments take place. Principals and science teachers can also sell some of the school materials, such as microscopes, to profit themselves.
  • Fraud: it involves some trickery and swindling. For instance, the existence of ghost teachers on payroll or employment of unqualified teachers to pay less money on salaries than what is assigned.
  • Favoritism: It is based on the unfair distribution of school resources and opportunities mainly to people, you know. Nepotism is a perfect example whereby you only employ people you are related to disregarding their qualifications for the job. Teachers can also favor some students more than others and give them access to school resources more than others.
  • Bribery: It is the most common form of corruption in schools. It involves taking money to offer opportunities. For example, an unqualified teacher will bribe you, as the employer, for you to provide them with a job in the institution. Parents can also bribe a school, mostly universities, to admit their children. You, a student, may even bribe a teacher to get good grades.
  • Extortion: it involves getting money or other resources from people through the use of force. The principal of a school may harass your child to force you to charge some fees or even refuse to admit your child to school unless you pay some fees. Sexual harassment of students by teachers is also a form of extortion.

Effects of corruption on the education system

Corruption contributes to various adverse effects on the education system:

  • Distorts Values of the future generation

Growing up, you spend more time in school than at home. As a result, you pick up a lot in school, and it eventually shapes your outlook on the world. If you, as a student, learn in an institution where corrupt practices are a regular occurrence, you grow up accepting them. You will bribe your way out of malpractices and receive favors from teachers. As an adult, you will find yourself embracing these selfish attributes instead of honesty and fairness. It brings about a future generation with no regard for positive values and no regard for laws and regulations.

  • Reduced quality of education

In a system where students can bride teachers for good grades, there is no incentive for hard work. The concept of examination testing is so that students work hard and learn. Instead, bribery has made it possible to pursue higher education without sweating for it. It reduces the value of education since rich students can buy their grades all the way to graduation. As a result, university graduates become lazy, unknowledgeable, and unfit for the job market.

Some teachers are frequently absent from class to pursue other personal income-generating endeavors. You are getting minimal teacher-student interaction. It reduces the quality of education since teaching is not getting ample time it deserves.

  • Limits growth of schools

For development to take place, resources and funds are needed. Public officials embezzling funds limit the growth of the school, for example, the construction of classes to admit more students. School materials when you sell teaching materials to the black market for personal gain. Both scenarios limit deplete the school of resources and, as a result, minimize the learning conditions. Having ghost workers payroll is a waste of such valuable income that could instead be useful in a different school.

  • Reduced equal access to education.

When you bribe your way into a university that you are unqualified to attend; you take the position of someone who deserves to be there. Poor students are, therefore, unable to gain equal access to education since they cannot afford the bribe.

For the education system to thrive and fill the workforce with qualified people corruption must be eliminated and the culprits need to be dealt with. Everyone has a role to play in the fight against corruption.